Thutmose VIII (Pharaonic Survival)

Thutmose VIII the Victorious
Pharaoh of Egypt
Reign	13 February 1827 - 27 June 1859
Coronation	13 February 1827 (Mennefer) 22 April 1827 (Waset) 31 June 1827 (Sesostria)
Predecessor	Senusret XI
Successor	Senusret XII
Co-Ruler	Senusret XI 1827-1857 Senusret XII 1850-1859
Born	April 13, 1793(1793-04-13) Palace of the Lotus Per-Senusret, Egypt
Died	June 27, 1859(1859-06-27) (aged 66)
Spouse	Henutmira XXXIII, Meretseger XIV, Isetnofret XI, Nefertiti XXXIII, Nodjmet V, Henutsen XXIV, Hatshepsut XLI, Meritra XIV, Ahmose LIII
Issue	Senusret XII, Emperor of Egypt Psamtik, Prince Royal Amongst others
Full name
Horus Name: Kanakht Tutmesut Sekhempehti Aaneru Nebty Name: Wehemmesut Sekhemkhepesh Djoseribra Golden Horus Name: Wetjeskhauemiunushemay Praenomen: Menkheperkara Setependjehuty Nomen: Thutmose Saupuat Meripetba
House	Tutankhamun
Father	Senusret XI
Mother	Hatshepsut XXXIX
Religion	Kemetism

Thutmose VIII (born Thutmose Amenemhat Senusret Neferhotep Anhurmose 13 April 1793 – 27 June 1859), commonly known as Thutmose VIII, was an Egyptian pharaoh who played a pivotal role in the defense and modernization of Egypt during the mid 19th century. Born to Senusret XI and Henutmira XXXIII, Thutmose received extensive military training from a young age and advanced through prestigious institutions like the Sobekhotep XVI Military Academy. Ascending to the throne in 1827, Thutmose led Egypt through several military conflicts, most notably repelling Ottoman and British forces. He was instrumental in modernizing Egypt's military and infrastructure, strengthening the nation's defenses. Thutmose VIII’s reign was marked by significant victories, including the successful repulsion of British forces in the Biau Peninsula and a decisive role in the Franco-Egyptian War. After his death in 1859, he was remembered as "Thutmose the Victorious" and "Thutmose the Defender of the Homeland."

Early Life

Thutmose Amenemhat Senusret Neferhotep Anhurmose was born on April 13, 1793, to Senusret XI and Henutmira XXXIII. His father, a man deeply committed to the military, took great pride in his son’s early education. As a result, when Thutmose reached the age of three, he was given a toy sword. From an early age, he began rigorous training and was taught the importance of strategy. At the age of eight, Thutmose received his first firearm, and by nine, he began hunting.

In addition to his military training, Thutmose received a more conventional education at the Amenhotep VIII Institute and the Imperial University, where he focused on economics and logistics. Upon graduating, he immediately joined the Sobekhotep XVI Military Academy, where he proved himself to be a capable soldier and commander.

Thutmose then attended the Prince Psamtik Naval Academy. In 1819, he married Henutmira XXXIII, and in 1821, their son and heir, Senusret, was born. Thutmose had little involvement in the conquest of Nubia, as Senusret was born after the completion of the conquest.

In 1827, Senusret XI appointed Thutmose as co-ruler, marking the beginning of his formal role in governance.

Reign

Thutmose VIII was proclaimed co-ruler on 13 February 1827. He was crowned as king of Lower Egypt in Memphis on the same day, followed by his coronation as king of Upper Egypt in Waset on 22 April 1827, and as emperor of the Egyptian Empire in Sesostria on 31 June 1827. After his coronation, he embarked on a tour of the provinces, which lasted about a year. During this time, he met with the ex-King of Nubia and representatives of the Nubian nobility, as well as the rulers of Punt and his relative, the King of Yemen. Upon his return to the capital, Thutmose took steps to integrate the Nubian and Puntish nobility into the Egyptian aristocracy.

Thutmose was one of the main architects of the Federal Act of 1830, which made the Kushite monarch the viceroy of Upper and Lower Nubia and restored the title of "Qore" to Taharqa IX, elevating him from chief of state to king. Nubia was divided into three realms, and Thutmose also appointed the higher-ranking nobles of Nubia as nomarchs, dividing the region into 44 nomes based on the ancient Roman kingdom's divisions.

In 1831, Senusret XI transferred most of his military responsibilities to Thutmose VIII. Over the next five years, Thutmose devised hypothetical battle plans for potential wars with Egypt’s neighbors and modernized the military. His foresight proved invaluable when, in 1836, the Ottomans launched an attack on Egyptian lands through the Biau Peninsula. The war ended in a complete disaster for the Ottomans, with Thutmose personally leading the army from the front. He advanced as far north as Damascus before Sultan Mahmud II requested peace terms. Senusret XI, despite Thutmose's insistence on continuing to Constantinople, agreed to the peace terms. In an argument, Senusret explained to his son, “I’d rather have the weak Ottomans on my border than the British or French. We need to conserve our forces for a potential attack from genuinely powerful nations. The Ottomans have no chance of seizing the Biau.”

The treaty, finalized in 1837, stipulated that Egypt would relinquish its conquests in exchange for 15 years of tax revenue, though this was later reduced to 10 years due to British interference. British meddling increased tensions between the two nations, as Egypt, rich in resources, fertile lands, and strategically important, especially the Biau Peninsula, became of great interest to Great Britain. The prospect of a canal cutting 15 days off travel to India only heightened British interest. However, Egypt remained a formidable obstacle with its stable government, loyal population, and strong modern military.

In 1838, British investors began buying land in Egypt. Thutmose VIII, noticing this, decreed that no foreigner could purchase land in Egypt. In 1839, he began a detailed tour of Egypt’s territories, analyzing the country’s infrastructure and defense capabilities. Over six years, he diverted 98% of the state budget to fortifying Egypt, modernizing the navy, and replacing outdated military equipment with domestically produced arms. He insisted that work never stop, even during injuries, which were promptly addressed by special rescue units. Work continued around the clock for six years.

After these improvements, Thutmose VIII ordered the Egyptian army to train vigorously over the following years, ensuring that the army was the strongest it had ever been. In 1845, he appointed nine generals for each realm, except for Lower Egypt, where he placed 11. These generals were tasked with defending strategic positions: Sais, Tanis, Xois, Alexandria, and Pelusium, each with its own general due to their importance.

In 1850, preparations for war were temporarily halted as Egypt celebrated the coronation of a new king, Senusret XII, later known as Senusret the Glorious, Thutmose VIII's 29-year-old son. Thutmose VIII made this decision to maintain order in case he fell during the war. The 88-year-old Senusret XI agreed, and together, they proclaimed Senusret XII as co-monarch in January 1850.

In 1851, tensions erupted between Egypt and the British Empire. Thutmose took control, ordering the civilian government to relocate to Waset and taking command of the navy. He ordered the navy to blockade the Gates of Grief and put the garrisons in Punt and Yemen on high alert. The British began a blockade of the Nile Delta, but Thutmose quickly countered by deploying large cannons on his ships, loaded with bronze balls filled with hot oil, boiling many British soldiers alive. The British then attempted to invade Alexandria and Sebennytos, but they were repelled by the garrison and Thutmose's troops. The British managed to capture Pelusium, however, so Thutmose placed the rulers of Kush and Punt in charge of the eastern navy squadron.

In 1852, the British launched an attempt to conquer the rest of the Biau Peninsula from their stronghold in Pelusium, but they were repelled by Thutmose, who captured many prisoners of war. In 1855, Thutmose went on the offensive, retaking Pelusium after a two-week battle. The remaining British forces surrendered, and many were slain by the city's population. Their equipment was seized and presented at the feet of Pharaoh, who symbolically stepped over it. Simultaneously, the two Senusrets launched a successful assault on the British navy, defeating them.

The British, defeated on both land and sea, sued for peace in 1855. Thutmose VIII led the negotiations, securing a large sum of reparations, five warships, two civilian ships, and an embassy in London. Following this, Thutmose participated in a 12-day festival of victory, offering thanks to Anhur and presenting medals to the land soldiers.

In 1857, Pharaoh Senusret XI the Conqueror died at age 96, and Thutmose VIII became the senior monarch at age 64. His reign would be short, as he inherited growing tensions with Napoleon III’s French government, which sought to invade Egypt as his predecessor had done. Tensions escalated until French troops landed in Punt, and Thutmose declared war. At first, the Egyptians suffered mixed results, with the loss of dominion over Punt seeming possible. Thutmose responded by launching a total attack strategy, reclaiming Punt. Meanwhile, he and Senusret XII successfully attacked French forces invading the Biau Peninsula. While the land assault succeeded, the Egyptian navy was crushed, losing 12 out of 16 ships.

Thutmose VIII reappointed Senusret XII as Lord Admiral of the Egyptian Navy, and he eventually defeated the French navy. Peace negotiations were mediated by William III, King of the Netherlands. The French initially agreed to only half of Egypt’s monetary demands, but Senusret XII had foreseen this and instructed the Egyptian negotiators to threaten higher tariffs on French ships and to block French access to the Biau Canal. Negotiations continued as the war raged on, and during this time, Pharaoh Senusret XII was wounded in battle. His injuries became infected, and he died of sepsis on 27 June 1859, at age 66, the second youngest age at death in the dynasty after Ramesses XXII.

The question of amputating his injured leg was raised, but Thutmose VIII refused, stating that he wished to enter the afterlife whole. Thutmose VIII passed away soon after and was laid to rest. His son, Senusret XII, became the sole monarch, and under his rule, Egypt emerged victorious in the Franco-Egyptian War. Thutmose VIII entered the history books as Thutmose the Victorious and Thutmose the Defender of the Homeland.

Legacy

Thutmose VIII, often referred to as "Thutmose the Victorious" and "Thutmose the Defender of the Homeland," left a lasting impact on Egypt's military and political landscape. His leadership during the Ottoman conflict of 1836 and subsequent defense against British and French invasions in the mid-19th century solidified his reputation as a formidable strategist and defender of Egypt. Under his reign, Egypt modernized its military and fortifications, ensuring its dominance in the region. His reforms, including the Federal Act of 1830, helped stabilize relations with Nubia and Punt, while his efforts in fortifying Egypt laid the foundation for its resilience in future conflicts.

Thutmose VIII's role in the Franco-Egyptian War, though marked by mixed naval outcomes, demonstrated his tenacity and ability to adapt to shifting circumstances. His death in 1859, shortly after the passing of his son Senusret XII, ushered in a new era for Egypt, which, under the leadership of Senusret XII, would continue to thrive. Thutmose VIII’s legacy endures as a symbol of military prowess, strategic foresight, and unwavering dedication to Egypt’s security and prosperity.