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USO Canteen FReeper Style~Ancient Egyptian Military:Weapons,Chariot,Warships~July 15, 2003
Militaryhistory.com ~ at the Internet | July 15, 2003 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 07/15/2003 1:13:11 AM PDT by LaDivaLoca

 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.
 
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!
 

 

ANCIENT WARFARE



The oldest remaining documentation of military campaigns come from the Middle East where the Egyptians, Assyrians, Hittites, and Persians were the main combatants. Read about the rise of standing armies and how battles were fought 4000 years ago.


The oldest remaining documentation of military campaigns come from the Middle East where the

 


Continuation of Part I: Ancient Egyptian Military

Weapons

    The Old Kingdom had soldiers equipped with a great variety of weapons: shields, spears, cudgels, maces, daggers, bows and arrows. Quivers and battle axes came into use before the second Intermediary Period, which was a time of revolution in the Egyptian martial arts. The earliest metal arrowheads date from the 11th dynasty (ca.2000 BCE), made of copper hardened by hammering.

    The principal weapon of the Egyptian army was the bow and arrow. Nubian mercenaries formed the best archery units. It was transformed into a formidable weapon with the introduction by the Hyksos of the composite bow made of horn, sinews and wood, combined with body armour - which was often little more than broad leather straps - and the war-chariot, enabling fast attacks at long range .

   
The infantry of the New Kingdom carried spears, battle axes, scimitars and daggers. The scimitar (xpS - khepesh) came to Egypt from Syria, where Thutmose III used it first. There are many depictions of the gods handing the pharaoh this weapon of victory. It quickly became part of the infantryman's basic equipment.
   
The military accepted new technologies , such as the use of bronze in the Middle Kingdom or of iron in the New Kingdom and above all during the Late Dynastic Period, faster than the general population, where stone tools were still used when bronze would have been available, but was too expensive.
   
Even so, the bronze Middle Kingdom arrowheads may have been imported from the Middle East and their production in Egypt became common only in the time of the 18th dynasty.
   
After the bowmen, either on foot or on chariots, had softened up the enemy forces with a shower of arrows, the infantry would rush in, breaking their ranks with hand weapons, maces with wooden handles and stone - later metal - heads, battle axes, hatchets, clubs, swords, scimitars and daggers.
   
While Egypt produced at least part of the copper it needed, it had to import all the tin required to make bronze and was also wholly dependent on import for iron, which put it at a disadvantage vis à vis the rising empires of the east during the first millennium BCE.

    The techniques for working copper and bronze, i.e. casting and subsequent hammering may have been developed by the Egyptians themselves; forging, the only way iron could be worked in the ancient world was imported from Europe.

   
    The spear was used for stabbing, giving greater reach to the soldier. Charioteers carried with them, apart from their bows and arrows, a number of spears and were thus not left weaponless after shooting their arrows.

    Many of the new arms that came into use during the New Kingdom had their origin in Asia. The helmets Ramses III ordered distributed looked like Syrian helmets, the main difference being that the Syrian helmet was decorated with a horsetail while the Egyptian had cords ending in pendants. The body armour was of Asiatic origin too. It consisted of a leather jacket covered with little metal scales, not completely protecting the soldier from arrows, as the Egyptians could conclude from their own successes, or the Syrians when a lucky shot killed the disguised Ahab.

34     And a certain man drew a bow at a venture , and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness. Kings 1, 22

   
Despite such deficiencies, the charioteers of Thutmose III wore occasionally scale armour centuries before Ahab's mishap, but many preferred broad bands (of leather possibly) crossed over the chest or carried a shield. Their torso was thus more or less protected, while the lower body was shielded by the chariot itself. The pharaohs often wore armour with inlaid semi-precious stones, which offered better protection, the stones being harder than the metal used for arrow tips. It is difficult to estimate, how widespread the use of armour or helmets really was, as the reliefs depict Egyptians very rarely carrying protection other than shields.
   
   

Despite such deficiencies, the charioteers of Thutmose III wore occasionally scale armour centuries before Ahab's mishap, but many preferred broad bands (of leather possibly) crossed over the chest or carried a shield. Their torso was thus more or less protected, while the lower body was shielded by the chariot itself. The pharaohs often wore armour with inlaid semi-precious stones, which offered better protection, the stones being harder than the metal used for arrow tips. It is difficult to estimate, how widespread the use of armour or helmets really was, as the reliefs depict Egyptians very rarely carrying protection other than shields.

    In peace time the weapons were stored in royal armouries. Their distribution to the soldiers before a campaign was an occasion for a splendid ceremony attended by the pharaoh. Ramses III declared at such an event speaking to the assembled soldiers from a balcony

Wake your arms, draw your weapons in order to destroy the rebelling lands who do not know Egypt, the strength of Amen my father.

   
   
 

The Chariot

History

   
Chariots seem to have originated in Mesopotamia in the third millenium BCE. The highly mobile two-wheeled war chariot carrying a driver and an archer armed with a short compound bow revolutionized military tactics after 1700 BC.
   
    This expensive weapon spread throughout the Middle East and and is thought to have reached Egypt with the conquering Hyksos, though there is no factual evidence to support this view.

It spread into Asia Minor, Greece and was known in Northern Europe by 1500 BCE.

With the advent of horseback riding by 1000 BCE it lost most of its military importance.

   
The Egyptian chariot betrayed its Asiatic origin in a number of ways, by the names of its parts which were Semitic and by its decorations which often took the form of date palm branches or animals opposing each other, both Syrian motifs.

Design

    The Egyptians improved the design of the chariot by making it lighter, changing the position of the driver so he would stand closer to the chariot's axle and covering the axle with metal to reduce friction. Some wooden parts were strengthened by covering them with metal sleeves. These changes lightened the load on the horses and greatly improved their performance.

Saddle-pads were placed on the horses' backs and the yoke was attached to them.

   
Leather girths around the horses' chests and bellies prevented them from slipping. A single shaft attached to the yoke pulled the chariots.

The chariot was built of pieces of wood which had been bent into the required shape possibly by immersing them in boiling hot water for several hours, bending them and then letting them dry. Various kinds of wood were used: elm, ash for the axles and sycamore for the footboard.

   
    The spokes of the wheels were made by bending six pieces of wood into a V-shape. These were glued together in such a way that every spoke was composed of two halves of two V-shaped pieces, forming a hexagonal star. The tips of the V's were fastened to the hub by wet cattle intestines, which hardened when they dried.    
   
The tires were made of sections of wood, tied to the wheel with leather lashings which passed through slots in the tire sections. The thongs didn't come in contact with the ground, making the chariot more reliable by reducing the wear and tear. 

German carpenters who reconstructed such a chariot needed about six hundred hours to complete it.

   

Use

The lack of springs made the chariots unsuited for use in rocky terrain, where they could easily overturn or break, and even at the best of times shooting arrows let alone taking proper aim from a speeding chariot must have been a difficult task. Chariots fought therefore in closed ranks overwhelming the enemy by the quantity of missiles rather than by their accuracy.

If the chariot was about to overturn, the crew would try to jump off the open back before it happened, then, if the chariot was broken, catch the horses and ride on them to safety. What chariots were certainly very much suited for was the pursuit of fleeing enemy on an open plain, when spears could be used for stabbing them in the back.

   
The Egyptians knew two types of chariots, the war-chariot which had six-spoked wheels while the carriage chariots had only four spokes. The six spoked wheels could be made lighter and were better supported than the heavier four spoked wheels, making the whole chariot more reliable.

Serving in the charioteer corps did not come cheap. The recruit was allotted a team of horses from the royal stables and five attendants, whom he had to equip. The chariot itself cost him, according to a possible prejudiced scribe, three deben of silver for the shaft and five for the body, a small fortune, which only noblemen could afford.

War chariots were manned by a driver holding a whip and the reigns and a fighter, generally wielding a bow or, after spending all his arrows, a short spear of which he had a few. When hunting, the pharaohs would sometimes dispense with the driver and enjoy chasing after their prey on their own.

   

 

Seagoing vessels: warships and merchant men

Old Kingdom Vessels

Keelless seagoing vessels like this one from the time of King Sahure (2500 BCE) traded with the Phoenician cities, importing cedar wood and other merchandise, and were sent as the first Egyptian trade expedition to the Land of Punt.

The bipedal mast carried a vertical sail. It was steered by six oars and had sixteen rowing oars. A rock served as anchor. The bow was decorated with an eye.

I went down on the sea in a ship of one hundred and fifty cubits long and forty cubits wide, with one hundred and fifty sailors of the best of Egypt who had seen heaven and earth, and whose hearts were stronger than lions.

Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor, c. 2200 BCE

   
Crews on Egyptian ships were large, as their sailing capabilities were low and they had to be rowed often. Ancient ships and not just Egyptian vessels, could not sail into the wind so that tacking was impossible. If the wind was unfavorable rowing was the only means to get anywhere.
   
This model of a 15th century merchant ship was made after the wall painting (below) at Deir el Bahri. The ship was about 22 metres long and 5 metres wide. It didn't have a wooden keel but got its stability from a thick rope fastened under tension at either extremity of the ship. There were fifteen rowing oars on either side, two connected oars used as rudder, a single mast and a 15 metre wide horizontal sail. The stern was decorated with a carved lotus flower

Expansion during the New Kingdom

A major expedition to the Land of Punt (probably in the Horn of Africa) down the Red Sea and into the Indian Ocean was undertaken under Queen Hatshepsut.
   
Bigger ships of seventy to eighty tons suited to long voyages became quite common (In size they might be compared to Columbus's Santa Maria with a displacement of 100 tons or his smaller ships with about fifty).
   
This model of a 13th century warship was made after wall paintings at Medinet Habu depicting the victory of Ramses III over the Sea Peoples. The high bulwarks protected sailors and soldiers from enemy missiles. Eighteen oars gave it the manoeuvrability which was a decisive factor in the Egyptian victory.

Like all Egyptian ships of this period, it was not laid on a keel, but got its structural strength from a gangway connecting stern to bow. It had a single mast with a horizontal sail. The bow was decorated with a lion's head crushing a human skull.

   
This model of a Philistine man of war was equally constructed according to the Medinet Habu paintings. Its lack of rowing oars may have been a distinct disadvantage in the confined space of the Nile delta where they must have been incapable of using their ram against the more agile rowed Egyptian vessels. Its design was superior to that of the Egyptian ships, having a proper keel.
   

The Late Period

King Necho II (609-594 BCE) invested huge sums in the development of an Egyptian war fleet. According to Herodotus he had triremes built in both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Some scholars think that the ships he built were biremes and the development of the trireme took place in the next century and was part of the Egyptian war effort against Persia.

The models are at the Haifa Naval Museum, Israel.


Next Tuesday, continuation of Part I: Ancient Egyptian Military
Fortresses
Siege Warfare




TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: ancientmilitary; chariot; egyptianmilitary; godsgravesglyph; godsgravesglyphs; michaeldobbs; warships; weapons
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To: LaDivaLoca
What Do Your Think Your Mom and Dad Have In Common?

Both don't want any more kids.
- Lori, age 8

ROTFLOL!!
261 posted on 07/15/2003 6:27:16 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: HiJinx
Jinx, I heard over the radio that AZ is on a 7-year drought already? I remember my sis and niece telling me that they get so excited with just a few drops of rain. I really like the East Coast but I miss the warm weather all year round.

Those pics of the lightning are beautiful and yet a bit frightening.

262 posted on 07/15/2003 6:29:06 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca (We might eventually cross paths - I'm reading this backwards)
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To: tomkow6
Good night and God bless you good, Tom, for all the mirth and merriment you bring for our troops. And thank you for YOUR service to our country.


263 posted on 07/15/2003 6:35:21 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: darkwing104; Old Sarge; corlorde; Valin; Aeronaut; aomagrat; HiJinx; Radix; ...
It is always a pleasure and a great honor to meet those who serve and have served our country in the frontlines. And we can never pray enough for your safety and well-being. God bless you all, our warriors and protectors, for whose sacrifices have been numerous in order to protect our country and the FREEDOM we all hold dear. THANK YOU ALL!!!
264 posted on 07/15/2003 6:36:37 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca (We might eventually cross paths - I'm reading this backwards)
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To: LaDivaLoca; MoJo2001
I thank you in their name,wish I was half the good people they are,this goes for all the lurkers,We say extra prayers on our radio program everyday for you are the best,We are one with you.
265 posted on 07/15/2003 6:38:15 PM PDT by fatima (Our troops are the best and we support them.)
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To: bentfeather
Grandfather Chanting

Another homerun, ms feather. About that book.........tap..tap..tap.. LOL! Your musings are such easy reading. Thank you.

266 posted on 07/15/2003 6:39:09 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: tomkow6
Good night Tomkow. Thank you for your service and for giving so much to the Canteen.
267 posted on 07/15/2003 6:40:57 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: Kathy in Alaska; HiJinx; SouthernHawk
Thank you so much Kathy, it's my pleasure.

The guys have been having fun with the book thingy!! I am enjoying that too. tap tap tap....Really cute graphic Hi Jinx came up with.
268 posted on 07/15/2003 6:43:23 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: Centurion2000
Good evening, Centurion2000. I'm grateful for your insight about the swords. Earlier weapons were pretty crude and I guess they improve on them later on. It is very interesting to see the progression of these things as the years go by.

I take it you have experience in sword fighting? Checked your profile and saw your outfit. What kind of sword do you specialize in?

269 posted on 07/15/2003 6:44:02 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca (We might eventually cross paths - I'm reading this backwards)
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To: LaDivaLoca
Diva, wonderful message to our Canteen Military guys, thank you.
270 posted on 07/15/2003 6:44:53 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: HiJinx
198-200...big deal...I've got 201!!!

Too funny, and LOL here and I agree! (how about 205?)

271 posted on 07/15/2003 6:46:03 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: Radix
My continued prayers for the safety of your son, Radix.
272 posted on 07/15/2003 6:46:08 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca (We might eventually cross paths - I'm reading this backwards)
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To: MoJo2001
Thank you Diva for the song dedication and kind words.
273 posted on 07/15/2003 6:46:18 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: bentfeather
274! WOO HOO!
274 posted on 07/15/2003 6:49:12 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (No overnight Tagline parking)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Just For You Ma!! Just click!

275 posted on 07/15/2003 6:49:28 PM PDT by MoJo2001 (If I'm not talking to you currently, it's because I'm still on the first page of the thread! LOL!)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Woohoo!! LOL! Are you enjoying your vacation?? I hope so!! *HUGS* What will they ever do without ya?? Probably have a million more people in queue waiting to talk to you!! LOL!
276 posted on 07/15/2003 6:50:22 PM PDT by MoJo2001 (If I'm not talking to you currently, it's because I'm still on the first page of the thread! LOL!)
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To: MeeknMing
Meekie, where is northeast Houston on this map? What color is it? Please?


277 posted on 07/15/2003 6:51:15 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
ROTFLOL!! #274!!!!

What's going on Tonkin??? That's funny!
278 posted on 07/15/2003 6:52:01 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: bentfeather; MoJo2001
"What's going on Tonkin??? That's funny!"

I got the coveted 274 post!
I've been waiting all day to get it.

See what happens when someone has some time off? LOL
279 posted on 07/15/2003 6:56:36 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (WOO HOO I got 274 !!)
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To: LaDivaLoca
I take it you have experience in sword fighting? Checked your profile and saw your outfit. What kind of sword do you specialize in?

Hand and a half broadsword mostly. I turned that blade into a saw over the course of a couple of years.

I've also enjoyed twinned short swords ....

Haven't picked one up in a while with the new career but their are kinda fun.

Of course guns are much more interesting .... but they require ammo :)

280 posted on 07/15/2003 6:58:45 PM PDT by Centurion2000 (We are crushing our enemies, seeing him driven before us and hearing the lamentations of the liberal)
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