# Thutmose IV

> Egyptian Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty

**Wikidata**: [Q157985](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q157985)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_IV)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thutmose-iv

## Summary  
Thutmose IV was an Egyptian Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, ruling during a period of significant prosperity and military expansion. He is best known for commissioning the Lateran Obelisk, originally erected at Karnak Temple, which was later relocated to Rome and remains a notable artifact of ancient Egyptian culture. His reign marked a transitional phase in the dynasty, influencing subsequent rulers such as Amenhotep III and Akhenaten.  

## Biography  
- **Born**: [Date unknown], Ancient Egypt  
- **Nationality**: Ancient Egyptian  
- **Known for**: Commissioning the Lateran Obelisk and military campaigns in Nubia and Syria  
- **Employer(s)**: Egyptian throne (18th dynasty)  
- **Field(s)**: Governance, military leadership, religious patronage  

## Contributions  
- **Lateran Obelisk** (circa 1395–1400 BCE): Commissioned during his reign, this obelisk was originally erected at Karnak Temple in Thebes. It was later moved to Rome in 10 BCE under Emperor Augustus and stands today in the Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano. The obelisk symbolizes Egypt’s architectural and religious influence in the ancient Mediterranean.  

## FAQs  
- **What dynasty did Thutmose IV belong to?**  
  He was a ruler of the 18th dynasty of Ancient Egypt, a period marked by territorial expansion and cultural flourishing.  

- **What is Thutmose IV’s connection to the Lateran Obelisk?**  
  He commissioned the obelisk during his reign, which was later transported to Rome and became one of the city’s iconic landmarks.  

- **Where was Thutmose IV buried?**  
  His tomb (KV43) is located in the Valley of the Kings, though his mummy was relocated to the royal cache in Deir el-Bahari during the 21st dynasty.  

## Why They Matter  
Thutmose IV’s reign sustained Egypt’s imperial power through military campaigns in Nubia and Syria, securing wealth and resources. His patronage of monumental architecture, exemplified by the Lateran Obelisk, reinforced religious and political authority. The obelisk’s survival in Rome underscores its enduring cultural significance, linking Egyptian antiquity to later Mediterranean civilizations. His lineage also bridged the early and peak periods of the 18th dynasty, directly influencing successors like Amenhotep III and Akhenaten.  

## Notable For  
- Commissioning the Lateran Obelisk, a 15.5-meter granite monument.  
- Leading military campaigns in Nubia and Syria to consolidate Egypt’s empire.  
- Being entombed in the Valley of the Kings (KV43), with his mummy later identified in the Deir el-Bahari cache.  

## Body  
### Reign and Military Campaigns  
Thutmose IV’s rule focused on maintaining Egypt’s territorial holdings through campaigns in Nubia and Syria. These efforts ensured continued access to resources like gold and timber, bolstering the kingdom’s economy.  

### The Lateran Obelisk  
The obelisk, carved from a single piece of red granite, was dedicated to the sun god Ra at Karnak. Its inscription celebrates Thutmose IV’s divine legitimacy. Relocated to Rome in 10 BCE, it was re-erected in the Circus Maximus before being moved to its current site in 1588.  

### Legacy and Burial  
Thutmose IV was buried in tomb KV43 in the Valley of the Kings, adorned with elaborate wall paintings. His mummy, found in the Deir el-Bahari cache (TT320), shows evidence of severe arthritis, suggesting health challenges later in life.  

### Succession  
He was succeeded by his son Amenhotep III, whose long reign further expanded Egypt’s wealth and international influence. Thutmose IV’s diplomatic and military policies laid the groundwork for the dynasty’s zenith under Amenhotep III and Akhenaten.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. CERL Thesaurus
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File