416 Tuthmosis III’s Hymn of VictoryII, and several daughters. Tuthmosis III also had other
wives, including Queen NEBETU’U(2), as well as some
from other kingdoms sent as tribute or as symbols of
vassalage.
He died in the 55th year of his reign and was buried
in a tomb in the VALLEY OF THE KINGS. This tomb was
decorated with the cultic stick-like renditions of the AM
DUAT,the New Kingdom version of the BOOK OF THE
DEAD. His mummified remains, damaged from vandalism
and later reburied in DEIR EL-BAHRI, give evidence of his
having been five feet tall and of medium build. His stat-
ues depict a handsome face, lynx eyes, and a hawk-like
nose.
See also TUTHMOSIS III’S HYMN OF VICTORY; TUTHMOSIS
III’S INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS VIZIER; TUTHMOSIS III’S MILITARY
CAMPAIGNS; TUTHMOSIS III’S NUBIAN ANNALS.
Tuthmosis III’s Hymn of Victory It is a monument
of black granite discovered in KARNAKand now in the
Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The hieroglyphs on the STELA
give praise to the god Amun for the pharaoh’s victories
and commemorate his having reached the Euphrates
River.
See also TUTHMOSIS III’S MILITARY CAMPAIGNS.
Tuthmosis III’s Instructions to His Vizier This is a
recorded tomb text, addressed to REKHMIRÉ, an official of
Tuthmosis’s reign and discovered on the tomb of this
VIZIERat THEBES. The instructions are considered remark-
able for their detailed description of the functions of gov-
ernment and the standards necessary for the proper
administration of national affairs at all levels.
Tuthmosis III’s Military Campaigns This is a docu-
ment recorded at KARNAKby a scribe named Thaneni and
compiled of the records made during Tuthmosis III’s
activities beyond the borders of Egypt. The first campaign
was at Ar-MEGIDDO, the fortress at Mount Carmel, under-
taken in the 22nd to 23rd regnal year. The military ven-
ture was prompted by a revolt started by the king of
KADESH. He and his allies waited on the road in front of
the mountains, and Tuthmosis III, despite the arguments
of his advisers, took his army up and over Mount Carmel,
single file for 40 miles.
Coming out of the pass, Tuthmosis III camped north
of Ar-Megiddo in the dark, using the banks of the Kina
stream. He waited there until his entire force was pre-
pared for battle. The enemy below saw the Egyptian force
and knew that their line of retreat was interdicted. One
by one they dropped their weapons and ran toward Ar-
Megiddo for safety. The southern wing of Tuthmosis III’s
army was on the hill at the brook, and the northern wing
was northwest of the fortress. They raced forward as the
enemy threatened to enter Ar-Megiddo, some having to
climb up clotheslines to reach safety.
Tuthmosis III’s troops stopped to gather up the aban-
doned treasures of the foe, and Kadesh escaped. The
pharaoh laid siege to Ar-Megiddo. He erected a wall
called “Menkheperre-is-the-Surrounder-of-the Asiatics”
and then left a small force to maintain a siege. The Egyp-
tians took Tyre in Phoenicia (modern Lebanon) and other
cities, before Tuthmosis III returned to Thebes to cele-
brate the Feast of OPET.
In his 24th regnal year, Tuthmosis made an elaborate
march through Palestine and Syria. There he was assured
of the loyalty of the local rulers. Tributes were sent by the
Assyrians and other conquered domains. The following
year Tuthmosis made a second inspection tour, harvesting
crops and gathering botanical specimens. Other similar
campaigns followed.
In his 29th regnal year, Tuthmosis III led his forces to
Tripolis in southern Phoenicia. Some cities in Syria and
Lebanon were revolting against Egyptian rule. The Egyp-
tians feasted on fruits and grain harvests from the local
areas, and Phoenician vessels were taken. The troops of
Tuthmosis III returned to Egypt by water. They carried
gold, lead, copper, jewels, slaves, wines, incense, and oils
to the Nile.
The following year’s campaign was undertaken
when Tuthmosis III sailed with his army to Simyra, near
Kadesh. The king of Kadesh was still at liberty and
still in rebellion, arousing the Phoenicians and others.
Tuthmosis III gathered up the princes of several city-
states and nations to educate them in Thebes. Once
again the Egyptians harvested crops and brought back
treasures.
In his 31st regnal year, Tuthmosis III returned to
Phoenicia, where he put down a revolt and received trib-
ute and the homage of the Syrians. He also garrisoned
and stocked forts and outposts. The harbor of Phoenicia
served as bases for inland raids and punitive assaults.
The 33rd regnal year was the time of Tuthmosis
III’s greatest Asiatic campaign, his conquest of the area
of the Euphrates River. Tuthmosis III crushed Kadesh
and subdued other coastal cities before moving into
the Euphrates area. He brought boats and rafts with
his troops in order to move his units across the river.
There he fought at CARCHEMISHand entered the lands of
the Naharin, allies of the Syrians. The MITANNIS
defended the city of Carchemish. At the Euphrates,
Tuthmosis erected a stela beside that of TUTHMOSIS I,
his grandfather. Babylonian ambassadors approached
him at this time, offering tributes. The HITTITES also
offered gifts.
On the way back to the Phoenician coast, Tuthmosis
III hunted elephants and was almost killed by a charging
bull. General AMENEMHABsaved the pharaoh by hacking
at the elephant’s trunk and taking Tuthmosis III to a hid-
ing place in the rocks on the riverbank.
In his 34th regnal year, Tuthmosis conducted an
inspection tour and received tribute from CYPRUS. In the