Military of Ancient Egypt: Warfare

Egypts armed forces holds as much occupy and rich history as other studies of the ancient era. The worlds counterbalance armies are known for the invention and spread of agriculture coupled with the domestication of animals in the fifth millennium, of which set the stage for the emergence of the start-off large-scale, complex urban societies around 4000 B. C. (Gabriel & Metz, 1991). Within five hundred years, the match tools and weapons used by the ancient Egyptian military evolved to bronze of which its pay off marked a fightfare revolution.Birth of warfare was possible as Egyptian societies emerged in complexity and with in full articulated social structures that provided constancy and legitimacy to new social roles and behaviors. Ancient Egyptian urban societies experient a revolution in social structures that rested upon the new scotch base and was virtually important to the emergence of war.Gabriel & Metz (1991) credit the conduct of war as a legitimate social funct ion supported by an extensive institutional infrastructure, noted by the authors as a appliance of cultural development (p. 3). Warfare was an indispensable function of the social inst whole in ancient Egypt in order for people were to survive the predatory behavior of others.During the fourth millennium in Egypt, a range of social, political, economic, psychological, and military technologies emerged. The purpose of the emergence was to make the conduct of war a traffic pattern part of social existence. Egypt evolved from a state in which warfare was obsolescent and typically ritualistic to one in which death and destruction were achieved on a modern scale.During this same period, warfare assumed great proportions in the size of the armies involved, the administrative mechanisms needed to sustain them, the development of weapons, the frequency of occurrence, and the field of destruction achievable by military force (Gabriel & Metz, 1991). This marked the fully emergence of th e one of the worlds first armies.According to studies by Dollinger (2000), the use of bronze weapons (referenced earlier) is believed to entertain originated during the Middle demesne. Dollinger believes bronze Middle nation arrowheads may have been imported from the Middle East and further explains the issue and manufacture of bronze in Egypt became common only in the date of the 18th dynasty (para 1). Egypts dependence on other areas for production and import of weapons put it at a disadvantage compared to the rising empires of the east during the first millennium BCE.Furthermore, Dollinger asserts that copper and bronze casting and hammering may have been developed by the Egyptians themselves (para 2). The production and manufacture of weapons was handled in armories where the complete blazonry was also stored.When his majesty took action against the Asiatic sand-dwellers, his majesty made an army of many tens of thousands from all of Upper Egypt from Lower Egypt and fro m Irtjet-Nubians, Medja-Nubians, Yam-Nubians, Wawat-Nubians, Kaau-Nubians and from Tjemeh-land. (The Autobiography of Weni Lichtheim M, Ancient Egyptian Literature Vol.1, p. 19)Prior to the conquest of Lower Egypt by the Hyksos, the studyity of all conflicts the Egyptians fought had been civil wars (Dollginer, 2000 Schulman, 1964). The armies, predominately handled via draft led by noblemen, were comprised peasants and artisans. It was during the period of the Old Kingdom that foreigners were incorporated into the army. Historians, including Dollinger (2000), believe the Egyptians may have signed contracts with foreign potentates to subvent the supply of mercenaries.As the Egyptian army evolved, old traditions became obsolete, fashioning it easier for advancement. In fact, many army commanders reached kingship. Such notable kings include Horemheb and Ramses I (XIX Dynasty). many of the new kings surrounded themselves with former soldiers whose loyalty and self-sacrifice they had experienced (Dollinger, 2000). i soldier was Didu, a professional soldier appointed to the post of amenable for the deserts east of Thebes. He later became representative to foreign countries, tired bearer (leader) of the kings guard, captain of the ship Meri-amen, and commander of the natural law force (2000).As time progressed, finding capable soldiers became almost impossible. Empires expanded, making the need even greater. It was during this time that the Egyptians began to enlist prisoners of war into their army (e.g. Sherden, captured during the incursions of the ocean Peoples) (Dollginer, 2000 Schulman, 1964).During the late period in ancient Egypt, foreign commanders, even those of a different ethnic group, frequently led mercenary troops. However, foreigners allegiance was often far from what the Egypt army needed. Dollinger explains, obedience was not eer ensured (2000). Nevertheless, such disobedience was handled accordingly, even in a most barbarian manner (e.g., P hanes of Halicarnassos deserted to Cambyses his troops punished him by killing his children onward his eyes).Egyptian history -especially that of its military- is comprised of diversity and rich changes. Covering all aspects and timelines inwardly these pages is impossible. However, through the brief references, this paper supports ancient Egyptian military as a strong emerging force that advanced from a cunning state to a mass enterprise. The military was formerly known as a meek unit, rarely engaging in any major battle. Today, historians reveal the Egyptian military and its evolution as one of the finest and most notable armies in the world.ReferencesDollinger, A. (2000). A Short History of Ancient Egypt. Retrieved January 3, 2007 fromhttp//www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/history.htmGabriel, R. A. & Metz, K. S. (1991). From Sumer to Rome The Military Capabilities of Ancient Armies. Greenwood Press Westport, CT, 2-24.Lichtheim, M. The Autobiography of Weni. Ancient Egyptian Liter ature, Vol.1, p. 19.Schulman, A.R. (1964) Military Rank, Title and Organization in the Egyptian New Kingdom,Hessling Munich.