Comparison of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III

Although they were both skillful and smart pharaohs, Hatshepsut and Thutmose III ruled Egypt in very different ways. Hatshepsut cared more about improving life at home, in Egypt, than conquest and building a great empire, like Thutmose III did.       
Hatshepsut led many trade expeditions. Her most famous one was the one to Punt. She was also in charge of a number of public projects such as restoring old temples that had been destroyed, and sending workers to mine the desert for ore.
Hatshepsut also cared about her memory. She wanted to be remembered as a great pharaoh who helped Egypt thrive. To do that, she had a great temple built honoring the chief sun god Ra. At the site of the temple, she also had two enormous granite pillars built. They had carved words on all four sides of them.   
So Hatshepsut was obviously a great ruler. But what about Thutmose III? He was the one who cared about expanding Egypt's borders and building a great empire. He led many military victories, as well as sixteen military raids. During his rule, he conquered all of Syria and and Palestine. His raids or campaigns brought great wealth to Egypt. Conquered nations were forced to send yearly gifts to show respect to Egypt's rulers and unconquered nations sent gifts to show friendship.
So you see, both of their reign's prove that leaders with totally different attitudes towards ruling their nation, can be equally successful.

 Reference: Armento, Beverly Salter, Christopher Wilson, Louis Klor de Alva, Jorge Nash, Gary Wixson, Karen, A Message Of Ancient Days, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994 

    Return To Index