Thutmose III

Thutmose III is often called the "Napoleon of Egypt." Ruling for approximately 54 years, he transformed Egypt from a kingdom into a true empire. His reign marked the zenith of Egyptian power, extending influence from Northern Syria to the Fourth Cataract of the Nile.

Throne Name	Menkheperre (“Enduring is the Manifestation of Ra”)
Horus Name	Ka-nakht (“Mighty Bull”)
Dynasty	18th Dynasty (Mid–New Kingdom)
Capital	Thebes (Waset)

No king expanded Egypt more than Thutmose III. He defined imperial kingship for generations to come.

• Empire Builder: Created Egypt’s first true empire.
• Military Mastermind: Conducted over 17 military campaigns.
• Dominance: Established control from Nubia to Syria.
• Legacy: His name became a symbol of power and protection.

Born to Thutmose II and a secondary wife, Iset, he had a complicated path to the throne. He became king as a child, but his stepmother Hatshepsut ruled as senior pharaoh. While sidelined politically during the coregency, Thutmose III spent his youth training with the army, honing the skills that would later make him a legendary commander.

After Hatshepsut’s death, silence turned to action. Thutmose III immediately assumed full control and launched an aggressive foreign policy. He was not just a figurehead but a brilliant tactician who excelled in logistics, intelligence gathering, and surprise attacks. He is the first king in history to have his battles recorded in detail.

Northern Campaigns: Thutmose III campaigned repeatedly in Syria, defeating the powerful Mitanni empire and even crossing the Euphrates River—a feat few Egyptian kings ever achieved.

Southern Campaigns: In Nubia, he extended control to the Fourth Cataract, securing vital gold mines and building forts. This wealth from the south fueled the empire's expansion in the north.

Thutmose III was a systemic ruler. He installed vassal rulers in conquered territories but took their children as hostages to be educated in Egypt, ensuring their loyalty. He collected vast tribute—gold, horses, weapons, and luxury goods—which made Egypt incredibly rich and funded his massive building projects.

He viewed war as a sacred duty and lavished the spoils of victory on the god Amun. At Karnak, he inscribed detailed records of his campaigns, known as the Karnak Annals. These texts remain our primary historical source for military strategy in the ancient world. He built massive pylons, halls, and obelisks as propaganda to link his conquests to divine will.

Decades into his sole reign, Thutmose III ordered the removal of Hatshepsut's images and names. While often viewed as revenge, modern historians believe it was a political strategy to ensure the succession of his son, Amenhotep II, and to restore the "correct" male line of kingship by erasing the precedent of a female pharaoh.

Thutmose III died peacefully after leaving a secure empire to his son, Amenhotep II. He was buried in KV34 in the Valley of the Kings, a unique tomb with a curved burial chamber decorated with the Amduat (Book of the Hidden Chamber). His mummy, found in the Deir el-Bahari cache, is well-preserved and reveals the physique of a warrior king.