king of Egypt (1504–1450 bc), sometimes called the Napoleon of ancient Egypt. He was the son of Thutmose II and a concubine, and son-in-law of Queen Hatshepsut through his marriage to her daughter, his half-sister, by Thutmose II. Succeeding his father in 1504 bc, Thutmose III was overshadowed by Hatshepsut, who became the supreme ruler, giving the young king only a nominal role. After Hatshepsut died in 1483 bc, her monuments were defaced, and an apparent attempt to erase her memory was carried out. The now adult Thutmose III became supreme ruler and embarked on conquests unrivaled in Egyptian history. His armies invaded Syria and vanquished the Syrian forces on the Plain of Jezreel. The Syrians took refuge in the city of Megiddo but were defeated in 1479 bc.

Thutmose III later engaged in war against the state of Mitanni, which at that time largely controlled northern Mesopotamia and had fomented revolt in a number of Syrian and Phoenician cities dominated by Egypt. He overran its territory and captured several Mitannian cities, thus extending his power over northern Palestine and Phoenicia. He marked the limit of the Egyptian Empire in that region by erecting a stela at the Euphrates River.

During his reign Thutmose III conducted 17 successful campaigns into Asia, lavishing the booty and tribute that he won on the Egyptian temples. He made important additions to the great temple at al-Karnak and had his annals inscribed on its walls. Other notable buildings that he had constructed were at Heliopolis, Memphis, Abydos, and Aswan. The mummy of Thutmose III was excavated at Dayr al-Bahri.