4 strongest warrior pharaohs from Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt had many impressive pharaohs, but which of them were especially fearsome warriors? Here are just some who strengthened Egypt’s empire.
Image: Thutmose III | HitchLens / Shutterstock.com
According to tradition, what we now know as Ancient Egypt came into being when its first pharaoh, Menes, united Upper and Lower Egypt. He founded a civilisation that lasted for more than 3,000 years, with more than a few further notable rulers along the way.
Many pharaohs left their mark (sometimes literally, in the form of hieroglyphs) on Ancient Egypt in their own distinct way. Tutankhamun, for example, is better known for his tomb and iconic golden funerary mask than for his governance.
Other pharaohs became renowned for their prowess on the battlefield. Several of these military commanders feature in the new Sky HISTORY series Pharaohs at War, which starts Monday, 28th July. To whet your appetite for the show, here’s a look at Ancient Egypt’s strongest warrior pharaohs — and why their records in combat speak for themselves.
1. Thutmose III (r. 1479-1425 BC)
Who was Ancient Egypt’s greatest-ever pharaoh? The fifth pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty certainly has a strong claim.
His reign officially began in 1479 BC, when he was aged just two. However, for many years, he was a mere co-ruler alongside his stepmother Hatshepsut.
After becoming sole ruler in 1458 BC, he embarked on more than a dozen successful military campaigns. These expanded the empire, leading modern scholars to hail him as ‘the Napoleon of Egypt’.
Thutmose’s biggest military achievements included conquering Syria and defeating a rebellious coalition of Canaanite kings. The latter was at the Battle of Megiddo, where Thutmose resorted to unconventional military tactics that ultimately paid off.
2. Ramesses II (r. 1279-1213 BC)
Ramesses isn’t just thought of as a mighty military man. He is also seen as one of Ancient Egypt’s greatest pharaohs, full stop. That’s because his success did not just rest on his endeavours in the field of battle.
For example, he commemorated his war victories by building temples, including those at Abu Simbel, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One temple depicts several of the battles Ramesses fought, particularly the Battle of Qadesh.
This was one of many tussles where Ramesses held off the Hittites, fierce and persistent enemies of the Egyptians. The battle took place in May 1274 BC, with the Hittites at first ambushing the outnumbered Egyptians. However, Ramesses summoned reinforcements to even the odds.
For Ramesses, the battle’s outcome is often considered a draw rather than a victory. Still, with more than a dozen military campaigns overall, including in Syria, Cannan and Nubia, Ramesses helped to secure his empire’s frontiers. He is today commonly known as ‘Ramesses the Great’.
3. Alexander the Great (r. 332-323 BC)
The Macedonian king was proclaimed pharaoh of Egypt after seizing it from Prussian hands in 332 BC. Throughout his reign, Alexander never lost a battle, enabling him to build a vast empire.
However, even for him, taking control of Egypt must have almost felt too easy. He barely had to break a sweat in the attempt, as the natives welcomed him with open arms. Yes, they weren’t exactly besotted with their Persian custodians.
In Egypt, Alexander founded the city of Alexandria, named after himself. Two legendary (and sadly now long-gone) landmarks sprouted up in the city — the Great Library and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The latter was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
4. Cleopatra VII (r. 51-30 BC)
Ancient Egypt’s Ptolemaic dynasty was established by Ptolemy I Sotor, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Cleopatra was descended from the first Ptolemaic pharaoh, and initially reigned alongside her brother Ptolemy XIII.
The relationship wasn’t exactly harmonious, as these sibling monarchs soon found themselves on opposite sides in a civil war. Cleopatra showed her mettle by raising her own army.
Of course, Cleopatra is well-known today for her romantic entanglements with powerful men. These included Roman dictator Julius Caesar, who helped Cleopatra’s army to triumph over Ptolemy’s at the Battle of the Nile in 47 BC.
Unfortunately, what luck Cleopatra had in land-based combat apparently deserted her at sea. By the time the Battle of Actium erupted in 31 BC, Caesar had been assassinated and Cleopatra had a new Roman boyfriend, general Mark Antony.
The pair commanded a combined fleet in the conflict but were defeated by forces of the Roman leader Octavian. Cleopatra and Antony both committed suicide and Egypt was annexed by the new Roman Empire.
As you can see, the histories of Ancient Egypt and Rome are strongly intertwined. So, you can expect Sky HISTORY to keep bringing out new shows on both. To see the latest updates land in your inbox, subscribe to the Sky HISTORY Newsletter.
