Indurated Painted Limestone Statue of Thutmose III
Date: New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1479–1425 B.C.
Origin: Deir el-Bahri, Temple of Mentuhotep II (formerly Temple of Thutmose III), Upper Egypt

Thutmose III, often called the “Napoleon of Ancient Egypt,” was the sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, reigning from around 1479 to 1425 BCE. He was the stepson and successor of Queen Hatshepsut, under whose rule he initially served as co-regent.

After her death, Thutmose III became the sole ruler and transformed Egypt into a powerful empire through a series of successful military campaigns. He led at least 17 expeditions into the Near East and Nubia, extending Egypt’s borders farther than ever before.

Beyond his military genius, Thutmose III was also a skilled administrator and patron of the arts, overseeing great building projects at temples such as Karnak. His reign marked a golden age of prosperity, innovation, and international influence in ancient Egyptian history.