The Egyptian New Kingdom, lasting roughly from 1550 BC to 1077 BC, exploded into being when the final of the hated Hyksos Kings was deposed. The folks of the Nile by no means forgot that shameful interval of occupation. Determined by no means to point out such weak spot once more, they adopted a militaristic, expansionist and aggressive stance – much more so than the Middle Kingdom or Old Kingdom. As such, they reinvented their armies, shelling out with easy levy troops and establishing a standing military {of professional} troopers, the ranks swollen by the ample populace dwelling alongside the fertile banks of the River Iteru (Nile). Population estimates of 3-4 million point out that they actually had been by no means wanting manpower (not like the Hittites), and will area as much as or much more than 40,000 males.
Here, I check out the make-up of this fearsome Egyptian ‘conflict machine’…
Pharaoh in his chariot, readying for battle along with his armies lined up behind him. And, wait: who’s that fellow with the horned helm by Pharaoh’s right-hand aspect? A Sherden mercenary!
The Great Powers of the Late Bronze Age circa 1294 BC. The Egyptians had been masters of the south.
The Pharaohs
New Kingdom Pharaohs had been protectors of their lands and other people and direct appointees of the Gods. Let’s take a look at Seti I, the lord of Egypt in Dawn of War:
Seti was actually fairly keen on gathering up honourific titles. . He was addressed as: “Falcon King, He of the Two Goddesses, Horus of Gold, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Use-mare, Son of Ra, He who rages like a panther”. (He who rages like a panther? Reminds me of the time I stepped on an upturned plug.)
Seti was a warrior too, personally commanding their armies and main them into battle. Pharaohs of the New Kingdom took to carrying the distinctive and majestic blue ‘kepresh’ crown once they went to conflict. They would additionally put on a lion’s tail of their belt and carry a sceptre and flail, each most likely ceremonial – or maybe sensible relying on how battle was going!
A New Kingdom Pharaoh in his battle-garb.
The Divisions
​This new skilled military was so huge and needed to cowl such an enormous territory that it needed to be cut up into divisions. Estimates of those divisions’ sizes range from 5,000 to 10,000. Each division was housed in enormous barracks at a specific metropolis within the Nile homelands, and every was dedicated to a specific god (very like the Hittites). Also, every division was totally self-sufficient with its personal wing of chariots, archers, medics, clergymen, mules and wagons.
*The Ptah Division was shaped a bit of later that the primary three – most likely in response to the ramping-up of tensions with the Hittites.
The trumpeters, drummers and normal bearers that may lead every division. Artwork by Angus McBride.
The Command Structure
​Evidence of rank and construction within the New Kingdom Egyptian military is somewhat skinny and at instances contradictory. We know for sure that Pharaoh was prime of the tree. He would both lead the military on marketing campaign or appoint a royal relative or in any other case trusted man to do it for him. Indeed, whereas nonetheless a prince, Seti served as battle grasp for his ailing father, Pharaoh Ramesses I.
Below Pharaoh there would have been a deputy and a raft of ‘Overseers’, ‘Commanders’ and ‘Captains’ in control of 1000’s, tons of and even tens of males.
One concept on how the Egyptian military was organised.
The Infantry
​A foot soldier would have lived day-to-day in a 250-strong unit often known as a ‘Sa’. Egyptian soldiers had been usually both spearmen or archers.
The spearmen got here in a number of kinds:
-
the nefru – considered youthful and less-experienced troops
-
the menfyt – battle-hardened veterans
-
the nakhtu-aa, in any other case often known as the ‘strongarm boys’ – who had been Pharaoh’s crack infantry.
An artist’s impression of a nefru recruit.
A menfyt veteran.
A strongarm about to offer a prisoner a somewhat extreme haircut!
The archers of the New Kingdom armies had been simply as deadly because the spearmen. There had been many native Egyptian bowmen, however there have been additionally plentiful overseas archer regiments too – particularly Nubians and Libyans.
A local Egyptian bowman, shielded by a spearman whereas he shoots his composite bow.
A Nubian archer re-nocking his stave bow – easy however lethal of their expert fingers
A Libyan archer and his stave bow. Note the penis-sheath dangling from his groin – his solely technique of clothes other than his cape!
Chariots
The Chariots had been to the New Kingdom armies what lancers had been to the Normans, or tanks to the troopers of WW2. They had been swift and terrifying to behold: think about two snorting horses bedecked in bronze and leather-based thrashing in the direction of you, a warrior and a driver aboard intent on piercing your coronary heart with a spear or arrow, all whereas the bottom beneath your toes shudders as if the world is about to finish!
The Egyptian chariots had been honed for velocity. The cabins themselves had been feather-light and the steering mechanisms deft and nimble. Typically, a 25-strong Egyptian chariot wing could be assigned to every infantry Sa. In battle they might rove throughout the battlefield, peppering enemy autos and foot troopers with arrows, veering away from tried counter assaults or plunging into weak enemy ranks. Ironically, these gadgets had been solely launched to the Egyptian world due to the sooner Hyksos occupation!
In whole, Pharaoh may muster as many as 5,000 chariots
The chariots in coaching.
Pharaoh charging to battle on his chariot, his troopers massed round him.
The Navy
​The Egyptians maintained a robust navy – important to regulate commerce and piracy and to permit its armies to sail up the coast of Retenu (the trendy Levant) and reinforce any bother spots or to launch a marketing campaign.
The Nile delta served as an ideal Naval launching level, and there was a large royal dockyard close to Memphis. Naval ways had been very like chariot ways: sail previous the enemy at velocity, showering them with arrows, avoiding contact.
A typical New Kingdom Egyptian vessel. Note the papyrus sails and the lion-headed prow.
So, I hope that sheds some mild on the army capability of the New Kingdom. Do depart a remark or get in contact when you’ve got any additional questions. Thanks for studying!
Many due to Osprey Publishing for his or her continued excellence in illustrating long-gone eras​. If you’d prefer to expertise life within the period of the New Kingdom and the Hittite Empire, why not strive my Empires of Bronze collection.
Visit Gordon’s web site Buy Gordon’s books right here
First revealed on Gordon’s web site
