Thutmose III
Thutmose III was the first brilliant warrior-pharaoh of the New Kingdom period of Egypt’s history who throughout ingenious methods consolidated Egypt’s “empire”. ... Thutmose knew this could stop the flow of wealth from the region of Egypt. ... “The Annals”, written by Thutmose’s scribes show that Thutmose was a great strategist and the loyalty his followers possessed towards their great leader. Thutmose led his army along the narrow and dangerous Avuna road reaching the King Valley. ... The following morning the armies of the Syrian princes marched out of Megiddo ready to fight but were shattered by the sight and size of Thutmose’s army. ... Thutmose’s army ignored his orders to follow the Syrians; they were too busy gathering the booty so, Thutmose had to lay siege to the city. Instead of using the traditional method of attacking city walls by ladder, Thutmose demonstrated his true power and wits by ordering his men to dig a moat and build a fence around the city. ... This was called “the capture of a thousand cities” and further shows how Thutmose was a brilliant warrior, consolidator and strategist. ... This is when Thutmose reveals himself as also a merciful pharaoh. ... Overall this valuable campaign had not only cemented Thutmose as the first real warrior pharaoh, but also won him over 2000 horses, 892 chariots and thousands of sheep, goats and cars. ... In his next four campaigns, Thutmose steadily advanced up the coast of what is now Lebanon, capturing harbors and establishing naval bases so that he could use sea transport and avoid the long overland march through Palestine. ... Thutmose III decided he must challenge the super-power north of Syria, the Mitanni, to whom the prince of Kadesh had sworn loyalty to. ... The Mitanni leader fled, the Egyptian army plundered the countryside and Thutmose set up a Stella marking his achievements. Thutmose campaigned most years, always at harvest time when the city states were most vulnerable.