Thutmose III might have seemed like just another name in the long list of Egyptian rulers, but he turned out to be one of the most remarkable pharaohs in history. Despite a challenging start, he grew up to become a powerful leader and conqueror, expanding Egypt’s empire to its greatest size.
Thutmose III was born around 1481 BC during the 18th dynasty of Egypt, a period known as the New Kingdom. His father, Thutmose II, was not a particularly strong ruler and died when Thutmose III was just a toddler. His stepmother, Hatshepsut, took over as regent because Thutmose was too young to rule. Despite this, Thutmose was educated and trained in preparation for his future role as pharaoh.
Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs and is often considered one of the most successful. She ruled Egypt for many years, and during this time, Thutmose III lived a relatively peaceful life. He was given military responsibilities, which allowed him to gain valuable experience. Hatshepsut focused on maintaining Egypt’s borders and trade rather than expanding the empire.
After Hatshepsut’s death in 1458 BC, Thutmose III finally became the sole ruler of Egypt. Unlike his stepmother, he was eager to expand Egypt’s influence and embarked on numerous military campaigns. He led 17 major campaigns, making Egypt the most powerful nation in the region.
One of Thutmose III’s most famous battles was the Battle of Megiddo, located in what is now Israel. The city of Megiddo, along with other Canaanite cities, rebelled against Egyptian rule after Hatshepsut’s death. Thutmose III quickly mobilized his army and marched to Megiddo, covering 150 miles in just 10 days.
Faced with a strategic decision, Thutmose chose a narrow pass to surprise his enemies, a move that proved successful. The battle took place on April 16, 1457 BC, and despite being evenly matched, Thutmose’s forces prevailed. The enemy retreated into the fortified city, and after a lengthy siege of seven to eight months, Megiddo surrendered. Thutmose spared the city from destruction, showcasing his strategic and diplomatic skills.
Thutmose III’s victory at Megiddo was just the beginning. He went on to conquer over 300 cities, towns, and settlements, solidifying Egypt’s dominance. He was also a prolific builder, commissioning more than 50 monuments, temples, and tombs. The temple complex at Karnak, near modern-day Luxor, benefited greatly from his contributions.
Thutmose III died in 1425 BC at the age of 56, leaving behind a legacy as one of Egypt’s greatest military leaders. His son, Amenhotep II, succeeded him as pharaoh. Thutmose was buried in the Valley of the Kings, although his tomb was later looted.
Despite the damage to his mummy, Thutmose III’s achievements ensured that Egypt remained a dominant power for centuries. His empire was the largest in the world at the time, a record that stood for nearly 800 years.
Research the key events in Thutmose III’s life and create a timeline. Include his early life, Hatshepsut’s reign, his military campaigns, and his legacy. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
In groups, reenact the Battle of Megiddo. Assign roles such as Thutmose III, his generals, and the Canaanite leaders. Discuss the strategic decisions made during the battle and how they influenced the outcome. Reflect on Thutmose’s leadership qualities.
Using a blank map of ancient Egypt and its surrounding regions, plot the territories conquered by Thutmose III. Label key cities and regions, and use different colors to show the expansion of the Egyptian empire during his reign.
Thutmose III was known for his building projects. Design your own monument or temple that could have been commissioned by Thutmose. Consider the architectural style of the time and the significance of the monument in celebrating his achievements.
Imagine you are Thutmose III writing a diary entry after one of his successful campaigns. Describe your feelings, the challenges faced, and the strategies used. Reflect on what the victory means for Egypt and your legacy as a pharaoh.
This video is brought to you by Raycon earbuds, which offer great sound at an affordable price. Check them out at buyraycon.com/biographics. More on them in a bit.
At first glance, Thutmose III seemed destined to become just a footnote in history, another name on a long list of kings who once ruled over Egypt. His father had been a mediocre ruler, dying when Thutmose was only three years old. Afterward, his stepmother took power for herself, and it would not have surprised anyone if the young pharaoh simply vanished without explanation. But that didn’t happen. In fact, as a young man, Thutmose learned and trained in the ways of warfare, anticipating that one day he would assume the throne. And he did, immediately embarking on military campaigns to increase the size and power of his empire. He only stopped when it became clear that Egypt was the single most powerful nation in the region and that his empire was the largest in the world.
Thutmose III was born circa 1481 BC and was part of the 18th dynasty of Egypt, the first of the New Kingdom. He was the son of Pharaoh Thutmose II and a secondary wife named Isis. His name is alternately spelled Thutmosis or Thutmose, which are Greek variants of his actual Egyptian name, which was Deju-Hutimes. Pharaohs did not have a single name; in fact, his royal title contained five names, each with variations found on different inscriptions.
Normally, the heir to the throne was the son of the pharaoh and his great royal wife, who in this case was Hatshepsut. However, the two of them had only one daughter together, Princess Neferure, whose ultimate fate remains a mystery. Therefore, by default, the throne went to Thutmose III as he was his father’s only son.
Speaking of Hatshepsut, we already did a full video on her, discussing the complicated and uncertain relationship she had with her stepson. To give you the cliff notes version: Thutmose II died when his son was only three or four years old. He was too young to take over the throne, so instead, Hatshepsut served as his regent. After a few years, she managed to assume full power, becoming one of the few and arguably the most successful examples of a female pharaoh.
The exact circumstances under which Hatshepsut took power from Thutmose III are still a bit of a mystery. When this event was first discovered about a hundred years ago, scholars branded Hatshepsut a manipulator and a usurper. However, many modern historians aren’t completely sold on this idea anymore, mainly because there is no solid evidence to back it up. There are no ancient documents or inscriptions to suggest that Thutmose ever tried to rise up and take back power from Hatshepsut.
Little evidence we have of Thutmose’s early years suggests that he lived a relatively happy and safe life under Hatshepsut. He received an extensive education in anticipation of one day ruling Egypt and was not kept under tight supervision. Towards the end of her reign, Hatshepsut even placed Thutmose in charge of her armies, though she had little interest in conquest and mainly used them to secure the borders and protect trade expeditions.
Hatshepsut died in 1458 BC, and Thutmose III finally came to rule over his empire 22 years after he actually became pharaoh. He took a decisively different approach to governing than his stepmother, mobilizing Egypt’s armies and becoming a mighty conqueror. Thutmose III would go on to become ancient Egypt’s most formidable military leader, expanding the empire to its greatest territorial extent. Ancient records show 17 major military campaigns into foreign lands starting with Thutmose’s first year as sole ruler.
One of the most significant military campaigns was against the city of Megiddo, situated in modern-day Israel. The city became known by its Greek name, Armageddon. Though Megiddo was part of a group of Canaanite cities under the hegemony of the pharaoh, they were not part of Egypt. While Hatshepsut reigned, they paid tribute and sent soldiers for her armies. However, following her death, Megiddo saw the ascension of Thutmose III as the perfect time to rebel.
Thutmose III was quick to mobilize his army to march on Megiddo. According to his personal military scribe, he covered 150 miles in 10 days. The Egyptians faced not only the people of Megiddo but also an alliance with another ancient kingdom called Kadesh. The coalition planned to do everything in their power to keep Thutmose’s reign short, but they underestimated him.
Thutmose had to make an important decision on how to approach Megiddo. He had a choice between three roads: two were broad and safe, while the third was a narrow pass. All his advisers recommended choosing one of the safer roads, but Thutmose insisted on taking the narrow pass to surprise the enemy. This proved to be a stroke of genius, as the Egyptians emerged on the other side of the pass to find no enemies waiting for them.
The Battle of Megiddo most likely occurred on April 16, 1457. Each side had at least 10,000 men, probably closer to 15,000. Thutmose led his army in a chariot, arrayed in weapons of war. When the enemy saw him prevailing against them, they fled in fear, abandoning their horses and chariots.
Thutmose did not press the attack immediately, allowing his men to plunder the battlefield. Instead, the soldiers retreated inside Megiddo, which was a fortress, and Thutmose had to lay siege to the city. It took seven or eight months before they finally surrendered. Thutmose was merciful by their standards, plundering Megiddo of its valuables but not burning the city or executing its population.
This victory was far more than just a victory against one city. Thutmose now held a location of strategic value, and his triumph at Megiddo instantly made him known as a force to be reckoned with in the region. Throughout his career, Thutmose conquered well over 300 cities, towns, and settlements.
Thutmose III was also a prolific builder, commissioning over 50 monuments, temples, and tombs during his reign. The place that benefited most from his attention was the vast temple complex near modern-day Luxor, best known as Karnak. Thutmose did not found it but added more constructions to it than any other pharaoh.
Thutmose III died in 1425 BC at the age of 56 under unknown circumstances. His son Amenhotep II became the new pharaoh, while Thutmose was buried in tomb KV 34 in the Valley of the Kings. His burial location is part of the royal cache, a complex of tombs that contained many pharaohs, royal wives, princes, princesses, and high priests.
Thutmose’s mummy was first unwrapped in modern times during the late 19th century. It had been torn out of the coffin by robbers who stripped it of jewels. His mummy suffered extensive damage and was among the worst conditions for any mummy recovered from the royal cache.
Despite this, Thutmose III made Egypt a dominant power once more and forged the largest empire in the world, a record he kept for almost 800 years.
If you found this video interesting, please hit that thumbs up button below and don’t forget to subscribe. Also, check out our fantastic sponsor Raycon with a special discount link below this video. Thank you for watching!
Thutmose – A name given to several pharaohs of ancient Egypt, most notably Thutmose III, who was known for his military conquests and expansion of the Egyptian empire. – Thutmose III is often referred to as the “Napoleon of Egypt” due to his successful military campaigns.
Egypt – An ancient civilization located in northeastern Africa, known for its rich history, monumental architecture, and contributions to human culture. – Ancient Egypt is famous for its pyramids and the Sphinx, which continue to attract millions of tourists each year.
Pharaoh – The title used by the rulers of ancient Egypt, considered both a political and religious leader. – The pharaoh was believed to be a living god and held absolute power over the land and its people.
Dynasty – A series of rulers from the same family or lineage, often maintaining power for several generations. – The 18th Dynasty of Egypt is known for its powerful pharaohs, including Hatshepsut and Thutmose III.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or the profession of arms, often involved in defending or expanding a nation’s territory. – The military strategies employed by ancient Egyptian pharaohs were crucial in maintaining their empire’s dominance.
Campaigns – Organized military operations intended to achieve a particular objective, often involving a series of battles. – Thutmose III led numerous campaigns into the Levant, expanding Egypt’s influence in the region.
Battle – A fight between armed forces, typically part of a larger conflict or war. – The Battle of Kadesh was one of the largest chariot battles in ancient history, involving the Egyptians and the Hittites.
Megiddo – An ancient city in present-day Israel, known for its strategic importance and the site of several historical battles. – The Battle of Megiddo is one of the earliest recorded battles in history, fought by Thutmose III.
Legacy – Something handed down from the past, such as achievements, traditions, or historical impact. – The legacy of ancient Egypt includes monumental architecture and advances in writing and mathematics.
Monuments – Structures created to commemorate a person or event, often serving as a cultural or historical symbol. – The monuments of ancient Egypt, like the temples of Karnak, showcase the architectural prowess of the civilization.
