- Flourished:
- 2nd millennium bce
- Flourished:
- c.2000 BCE - c.1001 BCE
- Title / Office:
- king (1493BC-1482BC), Egypt
- Notable Family Members:
- daughter Hatshepsut
Thutmose I
-
Who was Thutmose I?
Thutmose I, who flourished in the 2nd millennium BCE, was an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt. Succeeding Amenhotep I, he expanded Egypt’s empire into Nubia (present-day Sudan) and Syria.
To solidify his claim to the throne, Thutmose I married Ahmose, possibly a relative of his predecessor. In his second year, he led a river expedition into Nubia, going beyond the previous frontier and establishing a boundary at Kurgus because of the region's gold deposits and to counter the hostile Kushite kingdom.
Thutmose I also renovated the temple of Amon at Thebes, establishing the axial temple design that became standard in the New Kingdom. He was also the first king to construct his tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
When did Thutmose I rule Egypt?
Thutmose I, an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt, ruled from approximately 1493–1483 BCE. Succeeding Amenhotep I, possibly through marriage to his sister Ahmose, Thutmose I expanded Egypt’s empire into Nubia, going beyond the Fourth Nile Cataract and setting a boundary at Kurgus. He also led a campaign into Syria, reaching the Euphrates River. Within Egypt, Thutmose I renovated the temple of Amon at Thebes, establishing the axial temple design that became standard for the New Kingdom. He was also the first king to construct his tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What was Thutmose I famous for during his reign?
During his reign, Thutmose I, an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt, was known for expanding Egypt’s empire into Nubia (present-day Sudan) and Syria. In his second year, he led a river expedition into Nubia, going beyond the previous frontier and establishing a new boundary at Kurgus because of the land’s gold deposits and to stop the hostile Kushite kingdom from threatening Egypt.
After his Nubian war, Thutmose I went to the Euphrates River in Syria to continue the pursuit of the Hyksos. Within Egypt, he renovated the Middle Kingdom temple of Amon at Thebes, erected an enclosure wall and two pylons, and added two obelisks. Thutmose I was also the first king to cut his tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How did Thutmose I expand Egypt's territory?
Thutmose I, an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt, expanded Egypt’s empire into Nubia (present-day Sudan) and Syria. In his second year, he led a river expedition into Nubia, going beyond previous frontiers and establishing a new boundary at Kurgus, motivated by Nubia's gold deposits and to counter the hostile Kushite kingdom. After his Nubian war, Thutmose I continued pursuing the Hyksos into Syria, reaching the Euphrates River near Carchemish. Texts from Nubia suggest that Thutmose I had claimed the Euphrates as his border even before the Syrian foray, implying earlier deep penetrations into Syria.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What important building projects did Thutmose I start?
Thutmose I, an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt, initiated significant building projects during his reign, particularly at the Temple of Amon at Thebes. He thoroughly renovated the Middle Kingdom temple, erecting an enclosure wall and two pylons at the western end, with a small pillared hall in between. Additionally, he added two obelisks in front of the outer pylon. These contributions established the axial temple design that became standard for the New Kingdom. He also cut his tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes, and expanded the cemetery workers’ village at Dayr al-Madinah.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How did Thutmose I influence later Egyptian pharaohs and history?
Thutmose I, an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt, significantly influenced later pharaohs and Egyptian history through his military expansions and architectural innovations.
- Military Expansion: Thutmose I expanded Egypt's empire into Nubia and Syria, reaching the Euphrates River. This set an example for future kings like Thutmose III, who further expanded Egypt's influence in Asia.
- Architectural Innovations: He thoroughly renovated the temple of Amon at Thebes, creating the axial temple, which became standard for the New Kingdom.
- Royal Succession: Thutmose I set a precedent by assigning crown princes to Memphis for military training, influencing the education of future rulers.
- Burial Practices: He was the first king to cut his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, likely to increase security, influencing subsequent pharaohs to do the same.
4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Thutmose I (flourished 2nd millennium bce) was an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt who expanded Egypt’s empire in Nubia (in present-day Sudan) and also penetrated deep into Syria.
While Thutmose was the son of a nonroyal mother, he may have strengthened his claim to the throne by marrying Ahmose, perhaps a relative of his predecessor, probably some time before his accession. He also possibly was associated with his predecessor as coregent for an unspecified period, as is attested by a chapel found at Thebes. On his accession day, he communicated his new titulary and coronation in a letter to the viceroy of Nubia.
In his second year Thutmose led a riverborne expedition deep into Nubia, beyond his predecessor’s frontier. As shown by inscriptions carved along the way, he thrust past the Fourth Nile Cataract and set up a new boundary at Kurgus. The venture is attested by the biographies of two Upper Egyptians who were among the forces that made the campaign. One reason for the deep thrust into Nubia was the land’s rich gold deposits, which were intensely exploited during the 18th dynasty (c. 1539–c. 1292 bce). Another motivation was the fact that a hostile Kushite kingdom, centered near the Third Cataract, had seriously menaced Egypt during the 17th dynasty (c. 1630–c. 1540 bce; see ancient Egypt: The Second Intermediate period).
After his Nubian war Thutmose penetrated to the Euphrates River in the vicinity of Carchemish in Syria as he continued the pursuit of the Hyksos, Asiatic rulers who had recently dominated Egypt. One of the texts from Nubia states that already before the Syrian foray, Thutmose claimed the Euphrates as his border. Although no evidence of earlier campaigns survives, the Nubian text implies that deep penetration of Syria had already occurred.
Within Egypt, Thutmose thoroughly renovated the Middle Kingdom (c. 1980–c. 1760 bce) temple of Amon at Thebes. He erected an enclosure wall and two pylons at the western end, with a small pillared hall in between. Two obelisks were added in front of the outer pylon. Thutmose created the axial temple, which became standard for the New Kingdom (c. 1539–c. 1077 bce).
Two crown princes predeceased the king. One had become commander of the armies and was assigned to Memphis, near present-day Cairo, which in the New Kingdom became a military operations center. Thutmose set the example for later kings, who likewise assigned their crown princes to Memphis, where they were schooled in the military arts.
Thutmose also was the first king to cut his tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes, probably to obtain greater security for it. It was he who expanded the cemetery workers’ village at Dayr al-Madīnah, in western Thebes, and who completed the organization of the necropolis staff begun by his predecessor. The length of Thutmose’s reign is still uncertain, and his highest attested date is year nine.
The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.
SUBSCRIBE
