Despite the fact that his step-mother rules in his stead for most of his early years, Thutmose III is one of the longest-reigning rulers in Egyptian history. Hatshepsut died after 21 years of co-regency (or regency, actually, since Hatshepsut ruled as the sole pharaoh during this time). Thutmose III ruled for more than 30 years alone after that.

There were obviously some hard feelings between Thutmose III and his step-mother, as the newly crowned pharaoh set about eradicating any hint of her reign -- erasing images, names, destroying statues, removing any references to her. It is assumed that he was efficiently and completely silenced during the rule of Hatshepsut.

It is often debated whether Hatshepsut took the throne as a usurper, an unscrupulous and ambitious woman...or if she stepped into the role of pharaoh to ensure that power remained stable and that the authority of the royal family remained unchanged. She may not have been the virago portrayed in many histories -- instead, she may have been focused on the best-interests of the Egyptian government.

Thutmose III was an active military leader, with at least 17 campaigns to Palestine and Syria. At one point, he reached as far as the Euphrates. He continued to strive against Nubia, as well. Inscriptions on temples all over Egypt describe his military victories (because, as we all know, no pharaoh every lost).

HIs own building projects were vast, and include temples at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Eklab, Tod, Amant, Akhmin, Hermopolis, Heliopolis. He added a temple to Deir el-Bahari, and enlarged the temple at Medinet Habu. LIke all pharaohs in the era, he added on to the Tempe of Amun at Karnak.

He is buried in KV 34 in the Valley of the Kings (discovered in 1898 by Loret), which was dug specifically for him. It is one of the oldest tombs in the valley. It lies in a separate wadi (valley) of the necropolis, in a narrow gorge (with the entrance up a narrow staircase). The internal structure -- one of the deepest in the alley -- mimics the internal chambers of the pyramid of Senusret II. Inside is a large, cartouche-shaped burial chamber decorated with 741 stick figures of deities. The stick-figure style was favored in the New Kingdom. The tomb is very damaged. Early tomb-robbers threw objects against the wall in their frenzy to find the treasure, and traces of gold foil from the artifacts remains on the walls.

He also dug a tomb for his wife, Hatshepsut-Maeryetra (daughter of Hatshepsut) in KV 42. He also honored his grandfather with a new sarcophagus and reburial in his tomb of KV 38. During his reign, the nobles and officials of his court were buried in fabulous tombs in the Valley of the Nobles which have some of the most fabulous New Kingdom art ever found. HIs vizier, Rekhmire, has one of the most beautiful tombs in the region. (TT 100).

pharaohs

Ahmose
Amenhotep I
Thutmose I
Thutmose II
Hatshepsut
Thutmose III
Amenhotep II
Thutmose IV
Amenhotep III
Amenhotep IV
Smenkhkare
Tutankhamun
Ay
Horemheb

monuments

Tomb KV 34, Valley of the Kings
Tomb KV 48, Valley of the Kings
Tomb of Rekhmire, Valley of the Nobles
Tomb of Khonsu, Valley of the Nobles
Temple at Amada
Temple at Semna
Temple to Satat, Elephantine
Temple to Hathor, Deir el-Bahari
Festival Hall, Karnak