← Section II (Ancient Societies): New Kingdom Egypt to the death of Thutmose IV
Who were the pharaohs of the early Eighteenth Dynasty, and what did each achieve?
The early Eighteenth Dynasty pharaohs (Ahmose I, Amenhotep I, Thutmose I, Thutmose II, Hatshepsut as regent and pharaoh, Thutmose III, Amenhotep II, Thutmose IV) and their major achievements in military, religious and cultural domains
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History dot point on the pharaohs of New Kingdom Egypt to the death of Thutmose IV. Ahmose I to Thutmose IV, their military campaigns, religious building programs, and political legacies.
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What this dot point is asking
NESA wants you to describe the pharaohs of the early Eighteenth Dynasty (Ahmose I through Thutmose IV) and their major achievements.
Ahmose I (c. 1550-1525 BC)
Founder of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
Military. Completed the war of expulsion against the Hyksos begun by his Theban predecessors. Captured Avaris (the Hyksos capital in the Delta). Pursued the Hyksos into Palestine; besieged and captured Sharuhen.
Domestic. Restored central authority across reunified Egypt. Began the New Kingdom building program. Re-established Theban religious centrality.
Family. Married his sister Ahmose-Nefertari, who became Great Royal Wife. Their children continued the dynasty.
Amenhotep I (c. 1525-1504 BC)
Ahmose's son.
Military. Conducted Nubian campaigns south of the Second Cataract.
Religious. Strong association with Amun. Patronised the Deir el-Bahari area, where his mortuary cult continued for centuries.
Family. Had no surviving son; succeeded by Thutmose I (whose family connection to Amenhotep I is debated; possibly a senior army officer married to Ahmose's daughter).
Thutmose I (c. 1504-1492 BC)
Military. Major expansion. Extended Egyptian control to the Euphrates in Syria. Pushed south in Nubia past the Third Cataract.
Building. Major additions at Karnak, including the first pylons and obelisks.
Burial. First pharaoh to be buried in the Valley of the Kings (Tomb KV20, possibly originally his, later expanded by Hatshepsut for joint use).
Thutmose II (c. 1492-1479 BC)
Thutmose I's son. Married his half-sister Hatshepsut. Brief reign of approximately 13 years. Limited campaigns to Nubia.
Hatshepsut (c. 1479-1458 BC)
Initially regent for Thutmose III (her stepson/nephew). Assumed full pharaonic titulary around year 7 of his reign.
Building. Deir el-Bahari mortuary temple (one of the masterpieces of Egyptian architecture). Karnak obelisks.
Trade. Punt expedition (depicted in the Deir el-Bahari reliefs).
Religious. Promoted the divine-birth narrative (Amun as her father, Deir el-Bahari reliefs).
Proscription. Her name and image were erased from many monuments after her death, possibly under Thutmose III decades later (historiographically contested).
Co-reign with Thutmose III. Hatshepsut was the senior partner; Thutmose III appears as junior pharaoh in some inscriptions.
Thutmose III (c. 1479-1425 BC)
The "Napoleon of Egypt". Sole rule from approximately 1458 BC after Hatshepsut's death.
Military. 17 campaigns into Syria-Palestine. Battle of Megiddo (April 1457 BC) is described in detail on the Karnak Annals; first battle in human history with detailed tactical record. Extended the empire to its greatest extent.
Building. Major additions at Karnak, including the Festival Hall, the bark shrine, and obelisks.
Tomb. KV34 in the Valley of the Kings.
Successors' admiration. Subsequent pharaohs (especially Amenhotep II) emulated his style.
Amenhotep II (c. 1427-1400 BC)
Thutmose III's son. Maintained the imperial system.
Military. Three Asian campaigns. Captured 89,600 prisoners and substantial booty (per his Memphis stele). Pacified Nubia.
Personal. Famous for athletic feats (archery, horsemanship). Massive stele at Giza recording his athletic prowess.
Building. Major additions at Karnak.
Thutmose IV (c. 1400-1390 BC)
Amenhotep II's son.
Dream Stele at Giza. A stele between the paws of the Great Sphinx records his dream in which the Sphinx promised him the throne if he restored the sphinx (whose body was buried in sand). The dream legitimised his accession (he was probably not the eldest son).
Religious. Patronised the Aten (sun-disc) cult in early form, foreshadowing Akhenaten's later Atenism.
Diplomatic. Married a Mitannian princess to seal a diplomatic alliance; this was a strategic shift from Thutmose III's war against Mitanni.
Significance
The early Eighteenth Dynasty pharaohs built the New Kingdom empire through military conquest (especially Thutmose I and Thutmose III), articulated divine kingship through monumental building (Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, Thutmose III at Karnak), and developed the institutional framework that subsequent pharaohs inherited.
In one sentence
The early Eighteenth Dynasty pharaohs from Ahmose I (founder, c. 1550-1525 BC) through Thutmose IV (c. 1400-1390 BC) built the New Kingdom empire through military conquest (Thutmose I to the Euphrates, Thutmose III's 17 campaigns and Battle of Megiddo 1457 BC), monumental building (Hatshepsut's Deir el-Bahari, Thutmose III's Karnak Festival Hall), and the institutional framework of divine kingship that defined the period.
Past exam questions, worked
Real questions from past NESA papers on this dot point, with our answer explainer.
Practice (NESA)8 marksOutline the major achievements of three pharaohs of the early Eighteenth Dynasty.Show worked answer →
An 8-mark response with three named pharaohs.
Ahmose I (c. 1550-1525 BC). Founder of the Eighteenth Dynasty. Completed Hyksos expulsion. Captured Avaris. Pursued the Hyksos into Palestine. Founded the New Kingdom. Re-established central authority and the priesthood of Amun.
Thutmose III (c. 1479-1425 BC). The "Napoleon of Egypt". Conducted 17 military campaigns into Syria-Palestine. Battle of Megiddo (1457 BC) is the first detailed military battle in history (recorded on the walls of Karnak). Extended Egyptian empire to its greatest extent (Euphrates in north, Nubia south to the Fourth Cataract). Built extensively at Karnak.
Amenhotep II (c. 1427-1400 BC). Son of Thutmose III. Athletic and military king. Conducted three Asian campaigns. Captured 89,600 prisoners and substantial booty (per his stele). Built at Karnak and Memphis.
Each pharaoh's achievement should include specific named events with dates.
Related dot points
- Geographical, political and social context of New Kingdom Egypt, including the expulsion of the Hyksos, the foundation of the Eighteenth Dynasty under Ahmose I, and the constitutional and religious framework
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History dot point on the geographical, political and social context of New Kingdom Egypt. The Hyksos expulsion, the founding of the Eighteenth Dynasty, the role of the pharaoh, the priesthood of Amun, and the political-religious structure that shaped subsequent reigns.
- Religion, art, architecture, economy and everyday life in New Kingdom Egypt, including the priesthood of Amun, the temple system, mortuary practices, and the social structure
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History dot point on religion, art, economy and society in New Kingdom Egypt. The priesthood of Amun, the temple system at Karnak and Luxor, mortuary practices including the Valley of the Kings, and the everyday life of the Egyptian people.