“Interconnecting circles of power”

An approach to a study of the regional administration in Egypt during the reign of Thutmose III

Abstract

During the reign of Thutmose III, as a result of the military campaigns and of the increased importance of the army as a branch of the royal government in ancient Egypt, there was a growing tendency to favour some military officials with political and administrative positions. In this context, the aim of this paper is to analyse the Egyptian officials bearing the title of ‘governor’ or ‘mayor’ during this reign and the articulation of local powers with the king and his retinue. I discuss briefly some of the questions related to the study of regional administration and I intend to determine to what extent it is possible to identify this pattern of favour in administrative positions related to the provinces, also considering how these officials were connected with the king and his entourage.