Amenhotep III is one of the most powerful and influential Pharaohs to ever rule Egypt. He became one of the few to be able to leave a great legacy in the ancient history books. He is one of the most famous rulers in history, who was highly successful in creating a majestic legacy worthy of admiration by everyone who ever came across it.
During his reign in the New Kingdom of Egypt (1570 – 1050 BC), Egypt reached the ultimate peak of international and artistic power, which further strengthened Egypt’s reputation as the most incredible civilization to ever exist on the face of the earth. He was known for his sophisticated artistic taste, architectural innovations, and very enlightened vision for the future.
Life and Family of Amenhotep III
The ninth monarch of the 18th dynasty, Amenhotep III (1386–1353 BC), is said to have been the son of Tuthmosis IV through his minor wife Mutemwiya. Tutankhamun’s grandfather was the monarch Akhenaten. Following the death of his father, Thutmose IV, at the age of twelve, he assumed the throne and ruled for 38 years. After getting married to Tiy, he had four daughters and two sons.
Tiye, his wife, was treated equally to her husband, demonstrating their peace and equality. In addition, he had daughters from Babylonian, Arzawa, and Syrian monarchs, as well as Gilukhepa and Tadukhepa from Mitanni. He wed his daughters Sitamun and Iset during the final ten years of his rule.
He was regarded as a talented leader and an excellent politician. He was a skilled hunter, as evidenced by scarabs that claim he killed 110 lions in the first ten years of his rule, and a sportsman, as evidenced by several inscriptions that also detail his military missions.
Hobbies & Titles of King Amenhotep III
His throne name, Neb-maat-re, means “Lord of Truth is Re,” while his birth name, “Amenhotep-Heqawaset,” means “Amun is pleased, the Ruler of Thebes.” Amenhotep the Great and Amenhotep the Magnificent were two of his many nicknames.
He is known by a number of names, including Nebma’atre, who is related to the satisfied god Maat, and Amenophis III, Amana-Hatpa, and Amunhotep II, which are associated with the idea of the contented god Amun.
As you might expect from any member of the royal family, the great Pharaoh Amenhotep III had some amazing interests. These included hunting adventures, particularly with lions, who were seen as a symbol of royal strength, collecting precious objects, creating artwork, and more.
Pharaoh Amenhotep III’s Achievements
Amenhotep III, son of Habu, devoted his life to ensuring Egypt maintained the best standards of peace and wealth, which led to an amazing creative revolution. He was able to establish new benchmarks for quality and realism.
He is well known for creating the most captivating temples and buildings throughout Egypt, particularly at Memphis and, more significantly, Thebes. He also expanded Egypt’s territory and empire by military conquests into Nubia, which enhanced Egypt’s wealth and fortified its boundaries.
Reign of Amenhotep III
When he came to the throne of Egypt at the age of twelve, he ruled a great kingdom that ruled supreme, containing immense size, power, and wealth. Throughout his rule, he favored peaceful negotiations and pursuits over war.
Amenhotep III was a true master of Diplomacy as he made many diplomatic exchanges with other great nations, as confirmed by the Amarna Letters, which show he would send lavish gifts of gold to other nations so that they could bend to his will, and also it was an exchange for copper, horses, and lapis lazuli, all the way from Asia.
International Relations of Amenhotep III
He made political marriages with a number of daughters and sisters from the rulers of Mitanni, Babylon, and Hittites in order to consolidate alliances. During his rule, he made many diplomatic expeditions across Cyprus, Assyria, and more. His high level of generosity and understanding made him establish several profitable relationships with all his neighboring countries.
He refused the requests to send Egyptian women as wives to foreign rulers. He improved the entire atmosphere to express the policies and religion, which encouraged the establishment of the most amazing building projects and arts.
One of Amenhotep III’s most important decisions was restricting the powers of Amun priests by recognizing other cults, one of which is the special form of Ra, the sun god known as Aten, and later on, his son Akhenaton called for the worship of one god, which launched a failed religious revolution.
