ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MILITARY Palette of Narmer This picture

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MILITARY

Palette of Narmer This picture shows and early depiction of warfare. What do you see?

• Narmer strikes down a foe. Many Egyptologists have been tempted to interpret this scene as the conquest of Lower Egypt by Narmer.

• Two dead enemies, symbolising conquered towns, are represented underneath Narmer's feet

• Narmer inspects a heap of beheaded corpses, likely to represent slain enemies after the battle.

The Basics • Military was formed by Nebhepethre Mentuhotep I • Soldiers were chosen by the governor of the territory • Men from the upper class became charioteers

Military Men • During the early times, young men didn’t fear about being drafted into the army. • Changed during the New Kingdom -also became a more prestigious position • Once recruited, reported to school of discipline for training

Military Men • Members of the military were well taken care of: *officers received considerable booty after a successful campaign *Brave men received land grants and slaves *Soldiers were provided land tax free *Both officers and soldiers were recognized for their valor

Clothing • Recruits during training wore a short kilt (loin cloth) • Old Kingdom-triangular flaps in the front around their waste, ribbon like sash around their necks • Middle Kingdom- shaggy edged kilts or triangular flaps. Long black aprons with straps across their chests and backs. • New Kingdom- Shirts and short kilts • Metal armor was not worn

Egyptian Weaponry • Archaic Times: *spears, daggers, clubs, cudgels, & throwing sticks • Old Kingdom: *mace, shields, bow and arrow & axe • New Kingdom: *soldiers begin using scimitars and body armor

Egyptian Warfare Kamose realized the advantages of incorporating the chariot into the Egyptian Army Egyptians improved on the 4 wheeled chariots of the Sumerians. Egyptian Chariots where light two wheeled vehicles Manned by a driver and a fighter armed with a bow and a spear.

Pharaohs & Generals • Thutmose III: *Greatest warrior King of ancient Egypt *Bold and Reckless in battle-Battle of Megiddo *Expanded Egypt Northward to the Euphrates river *Made Egypt the richest nation

Egyptian Navy

Pharaohs & Generals • Ramses II: *controlled an army of 20, 000 soldiers *Split into 4 divisions 1 -Amun (Lord of all Gods) 2 -Ra (the Sun God) 3 -Set (God of War & Love) 4 -Ptah (God of Craftsmen) *Divisions= 5, 000 each *Division had 20 companies (250 men) *Companies divided into 5 platoons (50 men)

Pharaohs & Generals • Ramses II: *Fought land Sea Battles *Saved Egypt from the Mediterranean Island people called the Sea People *Most famous battle was against Hittites.

The Hittite Chariot: Two wheeled but considerably heaver than the Egyptian Chariot It carried a crew of three: A driver Shield bearer And an archer Hittite battle tactics were focused on the offensive use of the chariot with infantry in support.

Hittites continued • The Hittite Empire extended over most of Anatolia, parts of Syria and Canaan • by 1300 BC the Hittites were bordering the Egyptian sphere of influence • This led to the Battle of Qadesh in 1274 BC.

Battle of Qadesh • Object: Control of Syria • Numbers: – Hittites est. 40, 000 – Egyptians est. 20, 000 • Result: Both sides were inflicted badly so a non-aggression pact was signed

End of Empire • Egyptian military started small and simple • Grew into one of the most powerful armies in the ancient world • Egyptian Empire ended with the onslaught of the Greek Empire in the late period. • Ruled by Greeks for 300 years when Rome took it over