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Thutmose III |
Egyptian History
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Thutmose III (known as the Napoleon of ancient Egypt) became a great Pharaoh
succeeding Hatshepsut, with her death, he took control and revenged himself on his mother-in-law by defacing monuments of her.
He is regarded as one of the greatest of Egypt's warrior Pharaohs, ruling from 1458? BC to 1425 BC
Thutmose III was son of Thutmose II, and son-in-law to queen Hatshepsut,
as he married her daughter Hatshepsut-Merytre his own sister.
His battles were recorded in great detail by his royal Scribe and army commander, Thanuny,
on the inside walls surrounding the granite sanctuary at Karnak, and inscriptions on Thanuny's tomb,
He decided that the Levant offered the greatest potential for glory and wealth if the trade routes dominated by Syrian,
Palestinian and Aegean rulers could be taken, and started a series of military campaigns along
the Syrian coast. During these campaigns he won decisive battles, and established Egyptian dominance over Palestine where he captured 350 cities.
He also made campaigns into Nubia where he built temples and restored Senusret III's old canal so that his armies could pass safely on their return to Egypt.
His vast empire stretched from southern Syria (Canaan) to Nubia
Thutmose built many projects in Egypt and Nubia, including a temple dedicated to the goddess Satet at Elephantine and
a temple near Hatshepsut's temple in Deir el Bahri and a rock cut sanctuary to the goddess Hathor
But of these many monuments the most important construction took place at the temple of Karnak.
Wall relief near the sanctuary record the gifts of gold jewelry, furniture and rich perfume oils offered to the temple.
He erected the Sixth and Seventh Pylons, as well as considerable reconstruction within the central areas of the temple,
two obelisks and a black granite Victory Stele embellishing his military victories.
He also built a new temple at Karnak known the Festival Hall, In the rear is a small room with representations of animals and plants bought back from Syria during the 25th year of his
reign. This room is known as the Botanical Garden.
Thutmose's consort was Hatshepsut-Merytre, who survived him and lived as Queen Mother into the reign of her son. He also had several minor queens acquired in diplomatic exchanges, including Menhet, Menwi and Merti whose tombs were discovered at Deir el Bahri.
After his death, he was buried in tomb KV 34 in the Valley of Kings.
Royal masons concealed the tomb's entrance, but ancient robbers looted the tomb, all what remains is the carved sarcophagus and some remains of furniture and statues.
His mummy likewise was not in the tomb, for it had been found in the great royal cache at
Deir el Bahri.
Page last updated: 15 Feb 2008
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