Ancient Egypt was a country with an absolute monarchy.All power in the country was concentrated in the hands of one man - Pharaoh, the living God on earth, those Egyptians believed it.Ancient Egypt was not an aggressive state, but the war happened often internecine first, then, after the merger, the defensive.And when the state gained strength, then started to carry out aggressive campaigns to neighboring territories.
What are the objectives of the pharaohs kept a large army?
- First - this, of course, defense.Constant raids by neighboring tribes were brutal and devastated land.
- Secondly - this is the maximum increase in the number of slaves for the treatment of land.Raided Nubia and Syria, the Egyptians enslaved the masses drove the inhabitants of these countries.
- third objective - taking sources of raw materials (metal, wood), so necessary for the development of the slave economy.To obtain the necessary raw materials, made several naval expeditions to Phoenicia and the island of Crete.For the purpose of robbery were filled with trips to Palestine and Nubia.That is what purpose the pharaohs kept a large army.As you can see, without it was simply not enough.
army of Pharaoh in ancient kingdom
first standing army began to take shape during this period.For his good service to soldiers received land.The bulk of the levy was of Egyptian nomes (provinces).They accounted for a smaller part of the mercenaries (mostly Nubians).Initial equipment of the army was unsophisticated.The main weapon - a bow and arrow.Additional elements include the mace, daggers and spears.The helmet was made of leather, wooden shield and snug with this material.Divisions were not - all the soldiers belonged to the infantry.For the first time also began to build fortifications.
Army Middle Kingdom
It is characterized by an improved outfit.New bows helps to increase the flight range of up to 180 meters of boom.For the first time in equipping appear chariots.Improve the organization of the army units appeared to narrow specialization, for example, archers, spearmen infantry with swords.Each unit has a certain number of soldiers - from 4 to 600 people.Each SG scored volunteers from the young people who came back after the service to civilian life.A significant part is still accounted for mercenaries from Nubia.Pharaohs in ancient Egypt participated in military campaigns, their chariot has always led the army.Pharaoh wore in special robes, an essential attribute of which was blue headdress.
Egyptian army in the new kingdom
At this time, the military and become a private estate in the hierarchy is occupied third place with princes, to Pharaoh and his viziers.Constant raids by militant neighbors demanded improved weapons, resulting in swords were straight and crescent-shaped body of soldiers defended the leather shell with sewn on a platinum metal.There was structure, and certain types of troops different ammunition.
All the weapons belonged to the state and kept in peacetime in special warehouses, and only bought the chariot warriors at his own expense.The core of the army remained numerous infantry.The main strike force were chariots - they allow you to quickly move provides more mobility and flexibility.On the chariot, as a rule, there were two people - one managed by it, and the second - shot from a bow.The privilege to go into battle in a chariot were given not for everyone, but only to people from the nobility, often it ruled the young princes, the sons of Pharaoh.
Pharaoh's army in a campaign to move, divided into separate units.With a long and grueling stations camped.According to the organization of the Egyptian army, the battle began chariots, they're up the rear, followed by infantry units.
army and Pharaoh
Another answer to the question, for what purpose the pharaohs kept a large army, is that there was a need to protect the Pharaoh himself.Rulers have always primarily rely on the army.This tool of enslavement and oppression not only of enemies, often of his people.It is an essential support for the uprisings and riots.This was especially true of the Nubians, they were professionals and get paid for it.But there is another side to the coin.Army - it is also a significant political force.And very often it is not only protected the pharaohs, but also actively contributed to the overthrow of the plot and the ruler.
Severe natural conditions, the need for the construction of irrigation facilities, the cult of the afterlife and as a result, a big and costly construction of the pyramids, defense against external enemies - all this explains what purpose pharaohs kept a large army.Slaves had to be somewhere to take the best for this approach neighbors Egypt and capture, of course, needed a constant and professional large army.
