Anja Kako

To what extent did Thutmose III establish an Egyptian Empire.

Thutmose III established an Egyptian empire to a great extent as he was well known for
shaping the Egyptian empire. He had made history with his military campaigns and also
through his attribution to God Amun Re. Even though other early New Kingdom pharaohs
brought Palestine and Syria under Egyptian control, the chieftains of Mitanni revolted against
the Egyptian control. Furthermore, Thutmoses building activities stretched from Kom el Hisn
in the delta to Gebel deep in Nubia. Djeuty, Nehi and Intef were the three men who helped
Thutmose III administer his empire. All these activities performed by Thutmose III are proof
that he played a large part in establishing the Egyptian empire.
As Thutmose was well known for his military campaigns, it is clear that he attributed all his
military successes to God Amun Re. He repaid the gods support by lavishing him with larger
offering feasts, wealth, lands, slaves and buildings. As well as gifts and buildings dedicated
to Amun, Thutmose recorded that he made every law, regulation and enactment in the
interests of Amun. To the priesthood of Amun it was important that the domination of
foreigners by Egypt be punished at all times. They even composed a poem of victory as a
constant reminder of the debt of gratitude the king owed Amun. According to breasted the
beginning of Thutmoses conquest of Asia marks a sudden and profound change in the cult
of Amun, occasioned by the enormous and disproportionate wealth which from now on is
poured in his treasury. Through this, it is clear that Thutmose was greatly influenced by the
god Amun Re when establishing the Egyptian Empire, leading it to greatness.
Although other early new kingdom pharaohs brought Palestine and Syria under Egyptian
control, the chieftains of the Mitanni revolted against Egyptian control. An alliance of 330
princes from the region formed, led by the prince of Kadesh. Thutmose overruled his
advisors and ordered the army to march through the mountains to Megiddo. He believed
that the god Amun-Ra would protect the army. Thutmose led the charge against the enemy
and won a decisive victory. The enemy, including the princes of Kadesh and Megiddo, fled to
the city of Megiddo and the Egyptian soldiers began to plunder the battlefield. He wanted to
pursue the enemy and capture the city. The enemy forces held the fortress city and
Thutmose was forced to besiege them. The city was formidable and could not be taken by a
direct attack. Thutmose starved them into submission. He enclosed the city with trenches
and a large timber wall which he affectionately called 'Menkheperre is the surrounder of the
Asiatics'. After seven months, the city surrendered. Thutmose gained the city and control of
Palestine and Syria. Thutmose III was a fine example of a warrior king. He established the
greatest extent of the Egyptian empire. By consolidating his victory through diplomacy, he
ensured that Egypt would prosper through trade and tribute. According to historian Lester
Brooks, "Thutmose III turned out, in the fifty-four years of his actual rule, to be the greatest
warrior-king ever to direct the destinies of Egypt." This reveals that he created a sphere of
influence for Egyptian power. His campaigns against the people of Palestine and Syria
brought an age of peace and prosperity for his successors.
Thutmoses building activities stretched from Kom el Hisn in the the delta to Gebel deep in
Nubia. His buildings were found at almost every important site along the Nile. Like most
pharaohs, he devoted most of his efforts to the Temple of Amun at Karnak. Details of these
buildings are found on the great Karnak Building Stela. This inscription records those

Anja Kako
buildings erected by Thutmose after the beginning of his wars of conquests. Worshipping of
ancestors was possible through the building programs as they were politically significant. It
was a very important role of the pharaoh to undertake this activity as he used his royal
bloodline to their ancestors to signal their strong connection to rule and it was necessary to
further demonstrate their power through family ancestors. Pharaohs worshipped their
ancestors to reveal that their ancestors were great and powerful thus effectively helped
establish Egypt. Thutmose III dedicated a temple to their fathers. The evidence can be used
to portray how all pharaohs somehow worshipped their ancestors as it was tradition.
Furthermore, this can be seen through the temples built in dedication of their fathers and
also their forefathers. This comes to show how it was a role that pharaohs were expected to
perform as part of their duty. Overall, it signifies the familial link as it portrays the power
which belongs to the royal family.
Djeuty, Nehi and Intef were the three men who helped Thutmose administer his empire. It
appears that the first man appointed to serve as overseer of northern lands was Djeuty. The
story associated with him concerns the capture of the Palestinian coastal town of Joppa
which was put under siege. Djeuty, who was besieging Joppa, formulated a plan to trick the
ruler of that city. Once inside the walls, the soldiers in the baskets emerged and without too
much opposition took control of the city. Furthermore, In the southern lands, Thutmose was
ably represented by Nehi, Viceroy of Kush. His tomb records the bringing of tribute of the
southern countries consisting of gold, ivory and ebony. Moreover, the royal herald, Interf
accompanied the king on his campaigns. He also acted as an envoy, reporting to the
pharaoh all that he saw and heard. In Egypt he communicated messages from the people to
the pharaoh and communicated to the appropriate people commissions given by the
pharaoh. This reveals that Thutmose established an empire to a great extent as it
dramatically shaped the Egyptian empire.
Overall, Thutmose III established an Egyptian empire to a great extent as he was well known
for shaping the Egyptian empire. Thutmose III successfully established an Egyptian Empire
and also created a name for himself. He certainly shaped the military and the dignity of God
Amu Re. Even though other early New Kingdom pharaohs brought Palestine and Syria under
Egyptian control, the chieftains of Mitanni revolted against the Egyptian control.
Furthermore, Thutmoses building activities stretched from Kom el Hisn in the the delta to
Gebel deep in Nubia. Djeuty, Nehi and Intef were the three men who helped Thutmose
administer his empire. Thutmose was one in many pharaohs who establishing the Egyptian
empire to a great extent.