Thutmose's Impact On The Economy Of Egypt

These challenges of these foreign tribes around Egypt provided opportunities of trade and receiving tribute from the newly conquered lands. This helped the economy of Egypt with the acquiring of gold, slaves, land, and other trade goods. He could not overlook gaining Egyptian control over Syria and Palestine and to continue control over Nubia. This idea helped shape and mold his foreign policy and the new way Egypt would go. All aspects of Egyptian society became involved with this new strategy of national expansion and prosperity. They turned toward proactive strategy with objective military goals of preventing foreign enemies from invading and expanding. “He created a sustained military and administrative effort unequaled in Egyptian history.
He possessed a cold, calculating eye and was open to new ideas, whether adopting new weapons or strategies, through innovative. Thutmose had a stable self-confident personality and had a willingness to challenge the unknown.” (TIII 19) His leadership and determination greatly guided this change and was supported by this greater vision. He promoted this vision by being at the front of the military and participated in the battles. This created a sense of trust and loyalty between the men sacrificing for Egypt. Thutmose cared for his men and made sure they had the necessary supplies and equipment to succeed.
Thutmose III is well known for his victory against the city of Megiddo in Syria. This was his first major campaign and the start of his foreign policy. Thutmose understood the importance of gaining a foothold in the area and dispelling the local prince of Kadesh. The army under the control of Thutmose made all the necessary preparation for this engagement and started their march north into Syria. “The Egyptian army covered the 125 miles to Gaza in 10 days, averaging 12 and half miles in a hostile environment. It then took either 11 or 12 days to reach their destination.” (BM 2) Megiddo was protected by mountains, which the advisors around Thutmose told him he could take one of two ways around the mountains. These passes were easier on the troops and seemed like the only reasonable strategy. However, Thutmose was a creative man and wanted to surprise the enemy as these easy passes would allow the enemy to see them coming. There was a third passage in the middle of the range, which was dangerously narrow being around 9 meters wide. This made it difficult to move the whole army across the mountains. It was also probable that the front of the army would make it through the pass before the rearguard would start to make the dangerous journey.
The king made his decision, believing that the risk was worth the reward, and so the army moved out behind the leadership of the great king through the dangerously narrow passageway. The enemy was surprised by the king and the Egyptian army coming through the narrow passage. Fleeing back to Megiddo they left behind their possessions as they were fearful of losing their lives at the hands of the Egyptians. They made it back to the city’s walls and were hoisted up by their clothing as the gates had already been closed. However, the Egyptian army could not resist the great opportunity of wealth gained from what had been left behind. This greatly set back the Egyptian army and the king’s strategy. The enemy was able to settle in the city, forcing Egypt to begin the long siege against the city. During the siege the prince of Kadesh was able to escape and would continue to cause problems for Egypt. However, after seven long months the Egyptians were able to gain victory over the city of Megiddo, along with some other small villages in the area. As part of his greater strategy “Thutmose also had the clever idea of bringing back the children of his defeated enemies. As they grew up, they were sent back to replace their fathers as part-Egyptians, not enemies, cementing Egyptian rule.” (TPB)
The Nile River and the surrounding seas near Egypt were vital elements of the new strategy created by Thutmose and gaining control over Syria and Palestine.
Thutmose focused his attention to the coastline as he began to use ships to transport his troops into Syria. This saved time and resources as they did not have to march through the hostile desert environment. In order for this to be successful the Egyptian navy needed to upgrade to the best ships possible. “The ships that would transport his force were ideally suited to the task---approximately 60 cubits (102 feet) long and 20 cubits (34 feet) wide and comparable in size, speed, cargo space and tons burden to the average Roman Republican transport.”(AP 45) Thutmose also needed to develop and capture ports to help smooth out transportation within Egypt and the Syrian coast. These advancements paid off as the Egyptian military was able to start establishing a beachhead on the Syrian coastline. The troops and chariots were able to land and reassembled, ready to march at the command of Thutmose. These amphibious landings gave an edge to the Egyptian military. They were able to move quickly across the seas and land on the coast without any opposition. The army was then able to work its way in land. Thutmose was able to keep better control over the area as he was now able to capture some of the important cities in the region. This included the great cities of Kadesh, Arvad, and Carchemish. This experience was again used while
crossing the Euphrates. The river crossing was a monumental event as it is likely only Thutmose I had extended Egyptian control this far north. Thutmose III and the Egyptian military were able to conquer large amounts of land partly due to his “innovations in amphibious warfare: first, his crossing of the open sea, and second, his crossing of the mighty Euphrates” (AP 47) along with the advances made in weaponry and equipment to improve the army.
Egypt was not the only area undergoing changes as Syria and Palestine were also under various influences.
Before the expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt, Syria and Palestine were under the influence and rule of the Amorite kingdoms. This situation had changed by the time Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III began to reign. Syria and Palestine soon came under the domination of the Hittites and Mitanni. The Hittites were expanding into Syria while the Mitanni were further north in the area. Both of these powers were a threat to Thutmose and his new policy for the expansion of Egyptian influence. There were also opportunities further north beyond the Euphrates river. This area was under the control of the growing kingdoms of Babylon and Assyria. Previous rulers were unable to concentrate on these areas as they had to deal with the Hyksos. It was not until the start of the 18 Dynasty that Egypt become involved with Syria and Palestine. This is seen with Thutmose and his expedition north to the great Euphrates River and his engagement with the Mitanni. “In terms of policy formation, Thutmose III also made at least two adjustments to his imperial infrastructure. First, he designated a fixed portion of the Syro-Palestinian harvest to be delivered annually—to the Egyptians Second, he commanded that the rulers of Lebanon equip their harbors “with loaves, with oil, incense, wine, and honey,” thereby assuring the Egyptians of plentiful supplies wherever they chose to land.” (IFP
124)
The military was not the only element of Egypt that Thutmose was concerned with. As pharaoh of Egypt, Thutmose had to administer the government, which helped stabilize the expanding empire under his control. He had created bonds with many men from the military that had served under him during his many campaigns. These men became involved with the running of the bureaucracy. Despite that fact that many of these men were of military backgrounds with low social standing they proved their worth to Thutmose and the empire. The size of government and new positions greatly expanded to guide the growing Egyptian empire. During this expansion the need for centralization also occurred due to the need for his authority over the military and the rest of Egypt along with the economy. With this centralization came a change in the agricultural world. Egypt was growing in population and need more food for its people. This demand created new technologies and other resources to help supply the people with enough food.