The 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt: King Ahmose I and His Successors

Ahmose I: Egypt’s Hero and the Dawn of the 18th Dynasty

Ahmose I stands among the most distinguished kings of ancient Egypt—a hero of its liberation, and the valiant knight who expelled the Hyksos invaders. Although he was the brother of King Kamose and the son of Seqenenre Tao, the historian Manetho placed him, as previously mentioned, at the head of a new royal family. This classification is understandable, for even though there was no change in the bloodline of the royal house, Egypt had entered a new era worthy of marking the start of a fresh epoch—the era of the Eighteenth Dynasty.

Some modern historians lean toward considering both this king and his son, Amenhotep I, as belonging to the Seventeenth Dynasty, and would begin the Eighteenth with King Thutmose I. However, this opinion has not found wide acceptance among scholars. Even if we accepted the logic of Egyptologist A.Scharff—that Ahmose I, being merely Kamose’s brother and Seqenenre’s son, should belong to the same dynasty—then by the same logic Thutmose I, also of the same family, along with his children and successors until the royal house shifted to another lineage, should be included in the Seventeenth Dynasty as well.

Regardless, Manetho’s division of the dynasties and the ancient Egyptians’ own perception that Ahmose marked the beginning of a new age—an age that began after the Hyksos had been driven from Egypt, the land cleansed of foreign rule, and a new page turned in its history—makes the designation of the Eighteenth Dynasty as the era of restored independence both logical and historically sound.

Egyptian territory under the New Kingdom, c. 15th century BC

Pharaoh	Reign	Main Achievements
Ahmose I	c. 1550–1525 BCE	Expelled the Hyksos, unified Egypt, rebuilt temples in Thebes and Abydos.
Amenhotep I	c. 1546–1526 BCE	Peaceful reign, major temple constructions, introduced Valley of the Kings burial tradition.
Thutmose I	c. 1525–1495 BCE	Expanded Egypt to the Fourth Cataract and the Euphrates, built monumental works at Karnak.
Thutmose II	c. 1495–1490 BCE	Faced internal political tensions, suppressed Nubian revolt, continued building projects.

Campaigns After the Expulsion of the Hyksos

Following the final expulsion of the Hyksos and their defeat in Palestine, Ahmose turned his attention southward. He launched a military campaign to restore order in Nubia. During his absence, certain Egyptians—possibly descendants of the Hyksos or those still loyal to them—attempted to incite a rebellion. Ahmose quickly returned, crushed the uprising, and from that point forward there is no record of further internal revolts.

Ahmose’s reign spanned twenty-four years, during which he focused on rebuilding the nation, consolidating political order, and restoring temples—particularly in Thebes and Abydos.

Religious Symbolism in the Royal Family

Although the royal house was Theban in origin, with Amun as the local god of Thebes, the moon played a significant role in the life and traditions of this family. The name Ahmose itself means “Born of the Moon” , while his brother Kamose’s name contained the hieroglyph of the bull, also linked to lunar worship. Their mother’s name, Ahhotep, means “The Moon is Satisfied,” and is often rendered in European transcription as Ahhoteb. Even the name Thutmose contains the name of the god Thoth, who was identified with the moon.

The Influence of Royal Women in the War of Liberation

One of the striking features of this historical period is the immense influence of the women of this royal family, seen in their titles, epithets, and the honors bestowed upon them by the kings. Three prominent queens played decisive roles in the War of Liberation and in sustaining the spirit of resistance in the royal house.

The first was Queen Tetisheri, grandmother of Ahmose, to whom he remained devoted throughout his life. He built for her at Abydos a magnificent memorial, intended as a temporary burial place, and set up a stela that has survived to this day, telling the story of his loyalty to her memory.

Stela of Ahmose honouring Tetisheri

The second was Queen Ahhotep, mother of Ahmose, who appears to have played a central role in the war and held the highest position in the kingdom during her son’s reign. The Karnak stela describes her in the following words:

“Praise the Lady of the Land, the Mistress of the Isles of the Great Green. Her name is revered in all foreign lands; she is the one who devises plans for the people. The king’s wife, the king’s sister, who lived enjoying life, safety, and health. She is the sister of a king and the mother of a king, the great and mighty one who takes care of Egypt’s affairs. She is the one who gathered her army, protected the people, restored the fugitives, brought home the exiles, calmed Upper Egypt, and subdued its rebels. The king’s wife, Ahhotep—life to her!”

Stela from Karnak, containing praise for Queen Ahhotep. Source

Some historians, notably the German scholar Eduard Meyer, suggested that her titles might indicate she was originally from Crete and married into the Egyptian royal family, as Crete at that time was a center of Aegean civilization. Meyer pointed to the style of her jewelry, particularly her dagger—though crafted in Egypt, it bore clear Aegean artistic influence. While this theory remains debated, it is not unlikely that the peoples of the Aegean islands allied themselves with the Theban royal house, perhaps aiding in the siege of the Hyksos. This alliance may have increased trade between Crete and Egypt, and Queen Ahhotep might well have played a direct role in this relationship, as suggested by the words inscribed by her son.

The third great royal lady was Ahmose-Nefertari, who first married her brother Kamose and later her brother Ahmose. She retained significant influence during the reign of her son, Amenhotep I. From the later Eighteenth Dynasty through the Nineteenth, Twentieth, and into the Twenty-first Dynasties, Egyptians regarded her with veneration, even deifying her as a protective goddess of the necropolis alongside her son. A temple was built in her honor at Thebes, and she was depicted on the walls of many tombs.

Ahmose I himself was also deified, though his cult was more prominent in Abydos than in Thebes. Many of the tombs and mummies of officials from his reign have survived, providing valuable insight into Egypt’s social life during this period. His own mummy, well-preserved and unviolated, is now housed in the Egyptian Museum. An examination by Grafton Elliot Smith determined that Ahmose died at about forty years of age, suggesting he ascended the throne at eighteen. He stood approximately 163.5 centimeters tall. His mother, Ahhotep, survived him by ten years.

Amenhotep I: The Peaceful Builder of the Eighteenth Dynasty

Ahmose I died content, leaving the throne to his son, Amenhotep I, who was still young at the time. His mother, Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, assumed a significant role in assisting him—just as Queen Ahhotep had supported his father during the early years of his reign.

The young king inherited the courage and wisdom of his father and grandfather. Before long, he set out at the head of his army to inspect the distant borders of his realm—in the north, south, and west. Historical records from the autobiographies of two military commanders—Ahmose son of Ebana, and Ahmose son of Pen-Nekhbet—tell of the king’s journeys into Nubia, Syria, and Libya.

However, there was no pressing reason to continue military campaigns, for Egypt and its neighboring regions remained peaceful throughout his reign. Amenhotep I shifted his focus toward construction and public works, dedicating himself to building temples and promoting the prosperity of the land during his twenty-one years on the throne. Several monuments from his reign remain at Karnak, including an alabaster shrine whose blocks were reassembled in modern times.

Separation of Tomb and Mortuary Temple

We know from the Abbott Papyrus that Amenhotep I’s tomb was located at Dra Abu el-Naga, with a depth exceeding sixty meters. Whether or not this tomb was the one uncovered by Lord Carnarvon in 1914 remains uncertain. Regardless, Amenhotep I was the first pharaoh to separate his burial place from his mortuary temple—a significant break from earlier tradition.

Previously, pharaohs were either buried within their pyramids or in tombs topped with pyramid structures, such as those at el-Tarif. This innovation marked the beginning of a new royal funerary practice, later followed by his successors in the Valley of the Kings.

Deification and Worship

Amenhotep I was a benevolent ruler, remembered for his kindness toward his people throughout his twenty-one-year reign. For reasons that remain partly obscure, the workmen of the Theban necropolis continued to worship him for centuries after his death, offering him sacrifices and holding him in divine regard.

A special tradition developed whereby the priests of his mortuary temple were selected from among the workmen themselves. His cult had no single center; rather, he was worshipped in various locations and represented in different forms.

Astronomical Dating of His Reign

One of the most remarkable documents connected to Amenhotep I’s reign is the Ebers Papyrus, a medical text whose reverse side contains a list of festivals and the dates on which they were celebrated. Astronomical calculations by modern scholars have enabled them to determine that the ninth year of his reign corresponded to 1536 BCE.

Amenhotep I died without leaving a male heir, which caused some uncertainty in the succession. Ultimately, the throne passed to Thutmose I, a prince of the royal house who secured his legitimacy by marrying Princess Ahmose, the daughter of Amenhotep I and rightful heiress to the throne.

Thutmose I: The First Warrior Pharaoh of Egypt’s Empire

Thutmose I was not a young man when he ascended the throne; he had already passed the age of forty and was in the fullness of his strength. His youth had been shaped by the fervent patriotism that gripped Egypt in the aftermath of the Hyksos expulsion.

Upon his coronation in 1525 BCE, and after ensuring stability within the country, Thutmose I turned his attention southward. He followed in the footsteps of Ahmose I and Amenhotep I, pushing deep into Nubia until he reached the region of Napata, near Gebel Barkal. From this time forward, Egypt’s southern frontier remained at the Fourth Cataract for nearly five centuries. Egyptian influence in the region expanded even farther south, approaching the area near modern-day Khartoum.

Administration of Nubia

To secure this vast southern territory, Thutmose I organized the region from Nekheb (north of Edfu) to the southern frontier as a single administrative unit under the authority of an official known as the “King’s Son of Kush.” This marked the beginning of Nubia’s complete integration into the Egyptian cultural and political sphere. Over time, the indigenous traditions of Nubia gradually disappeared, replaced by Egyptian customs, language, and religion.

Campaign in Asia and Monumental Achievements

After securing the south, Thutmose I turned his gaze to Asia in his second regnal year. He advanced as far as the Euphrates River—known to his contemporaries as “the river with the reversed waters” because it flowed from north to south, opposite the Nile. While there, he engaged in elephant hunting, sending several of the animals to the Temple of Amun in Thebes.

In Egypt, Thutmose I initiated grand construction projects at Karnak, replacing the modest temple of the Twelfth Dynasty with a monumental complex. He erected two massive granite obelisks—one of which still stands today—and constructed a large hall with square pillars decorated with statues of the god Osiris. Parts of these structures have been recovered from beneath the temple floor.

The First Royal Tomb in the Valley of the Kings

Much of what we know about these works comes from the inscriptions of his chief architect, Ineni, carved on his tomb at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna. Ineni records that Thutmose I tasked him with locating a suitable site in the western mountains opposite Thebes for his burial. Rejecting the old tradition of pyramidal tombs, Thutmose I chose a hidden and inaccessible location—what became the Valley of the Kings. This innovation provided greater security for royal burials and established a tradition that would last for centuries.

A Prosperous Egypt

Thutmose I reigned for thirty years, leaving Egypt in a strong and flourishing state. His authority extended over vast territories north and south, and the wealth of foreign lands poured into Thebes. The tombs of nobles from his reign testify to the prosperity and international prestige Egypt enjoyed at the dawn of its imperial age.

Thutmose II: A Short Reign Marked by Internal Tension

The marriage of King Thutmose I to Princess Ahmose, the primary heiress to the throne, secured his legitimacy in the eyes of the Egyptian people. However, fate decreed that Queen Ahmose would bear him no male heirs. Instead, his sons came from other wives.

The most important of his children were his daughter, Hatshepsut—born to Queen Ahmose—who inherited the strong will and determination of the royal women of her line, along with a fondness for argument from her father, and his eldest surviving son, also named Thutmose. This son was born to a wife named Mutnofret and married his half-sister Hatshepsut, ascending the throne as Thutmose II.

Early Reign and Political Division

From the very beginning of his reign, tensions arose between the two. Thutmose II was physically weak and lacked ambition, while Hatshepsut was an ambitious woman with a mind set on wielding power herself. These differences led to political friction, dividing not only the royal household but possibly state officials as well, into rival factions. Internal court intrigues became a defining feature of this period.

Military Campaigns

Despite the political instability, Thutmose II faced military challenges that demanded action. A rebellion broke out in Nubia, where some local rulers divided the land of Kush among themselves. The king dispatched an army that crushed the rebels and restored order.

At the time, Thutmose II was in Aswan when his victorious troops returned from the south. It is also possible that a revolt erupted in Syria, and that Bedouin tribes east of Egypt took advantage of the political unrest to attack trade caravans. Egyptian forces retaliated, suppressing the threat.

Building Activity

Even though his reign was brief, Thutmose II engaged in building works. Monuments bearing his name have been found in Thebes and near the Second Cataract, as well as numerous inscriptions in the tombs of officials who served under him.

Dispute Over His Length of Reign

The duration of Thutmose II’s reign is a matter of historical debate. Manetho credits him with twenty years on the throne, and Egyptologist Percy E. Newberry claimed to have seen an artifact in the Egyptian Museum dated to his eighteenth regnal year. However, that artifact has since been lost, and no other evidence supports such a long reign. Based on the surviving records, it is generally accepted that he ruled for no more than five years.

Aftermath of His Death

The death of Thutmose II sparked a fierce power struggle between Queen Hatshepsut and the young Thutmose III—one of the greatest pharaohs in Egyptian history, if not the greatest of them all. This conflict would shape the political landscape of Egypt for decades to come, leading to one of the most remarkable reigns of the ancient world.

Frequently Asked Questions about Egypt’s 18th Dynasty

Who was the founder of the 18th Dynasty?
It was King Ahmose I, credited with expelling the Hyksos and reuniting Egypt at the start of its New Kingdom.

Why is the 18th Dynasty considered Egypt’s golden age?
This dynasty launched the New Kingdom, marked by unprecedented power, architectural achievement, and cultural flourishing.

Which pharaoh restored Egypt after the Hyksos invasion?
That was King Ahmose I, who unified the country and began the 18th Dynasty with renewed strength.

Where were the rulers of the 18th Dynasty buried?
They were mostly buried in the Valley of the Kings, moving away from the classic pyramid tombs.

Which queen ruled as pharaoh in the 18th Dynasty?
Queen Hatshepsut famously took the throne and reigned with great prosperity and monumental building projects.

Did any 18th Dynasty ruler attempt religious reforms?
Yes—Akhenaten introduced Atenism, focusing worship on the sun disk Aten, which was a radical shift in traditional beliefs.

How far did Egypt expand under Thutmose III?
His military campaigns extended Egypt’s reach into Nubia, Palestine, parts of Syria, and up to the Euphrates River.

What role did Amenhotep I play in early 18th Dynasty Egypt?
Amenhotep I continued building efforts, established peace, and strengthened Egypt’s influence and infrastructure.

References

Redford, Donald B. Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times. Princeton University Press, 1992.
Tyldesley, Joyce. Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh. Penguin Books, 1996.
Shaw, Ian, ed. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press, 2000.
Kemp, Barry J. Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization. Routledge, 2006.
Wilkinson, Toby A. H. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt. Random House, 2010.