THUTMOSE

Three thousand five hundred years ago, as ancient Egypt was on the cusp of reaching world power, a new ruler sat on the throne, striving to be worthy of his mighty forebearers. Pharaoh Thutmose III was determined to finish what Thutmose I and Thutmose II had begun by invading Western Asia and Mesopotamia to forge an empire for Egypt.

In the spring of 1425 BCE, Thutmose won the Battle of Megiddo, conquered Canaan, and carved his name in blood and stone. Today, service academies worldwide require the study of this first "Great Captain of War" for his achievements in inventing the concept of joint army-navy operations and strategic planning.

However, Thutmose was not without a dangerous enemy in his household, a mere heartbeat from the throne. His half-brother, the Prince of the Blood Menenhotep, covets the throne and seeks to replace Thutmose. Egged on by his ambitious mother, Mehmet, once a royal wife to Thutmose II, Menemhotep wants to be the true pharaoh instead of Thutmose III, come what may.

After his triumphant victory at the Battle of Megiddo, Thutmose is presented with a surprise taken alive: the consort of the slain King Ammishtamru, Queen Asherah of Canaan. That night, when Menemhotep sees her for the first time in Thutmose's tent as a spoil of war, he desires her for himself. Asherah takes notice of his lust and seduces Menemhotep into killing Thutmose to avenge her husband and kingdom. Asherah's choices will lead to disaster: either she and Menenhotep will fall, or Thutmose will triumph.