The Egyptians
The Egyptian army of this period also used a large chariot corps but the army was not built round this arm of the service. The chariot corps worked in conjunction with 2 different types of foot units; close order foot units and loose archers. The Egyptian secret power rested in their ability to use three distinct branches of service in unision.
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| Egyptian Chariot |
The Chariots
The rattan built Egyptian chariots were less substantial when compared to the wood vehicles of the Hittites. The axle was placed in such a way that it made the Egyptian chariot much more maneuverable than those of the Hittites. The Egyptian chariots were not made for contact being light weigh in construction and being drawn by two horses. It is believed that the chariots would carry 2 men. One driver and a fighter perhaps later runners were used, perhaps.
Arms and Armor of the Chariots
Like the Hittites charioteer and drivers would not dismount. This clearly differs greatly from the Achaean and Trojan use of chariots. The fighting crewman would have at best scale armor and a helmet. For fighting weapons he would always have a bow and javelins with some kind of sword as a side arm. Shields were not usually used although they may have been carried on board or left in camp. The driver may have been armored or not.
Chariot Units How They Were Used
While we can only assume how the Egyptians used their chariots highly unlikely that they charged formed foot frontally or even from the flank. The vehicles and their teams of horses were even more fragile than those of their enemies. Again use the chariot rules for a more detailed method of use for gaming purposes use Trojan Allies as found in Homeric Hack.
Egyptian chariots would attempt to charge other chariot units.The chariots were at their best when charging other chariots and when performing feigned charges against foot units. When fighting other chariots each would deploy in line in support of units of line infantry. It is also possible that the chariots would deploy in two or more lines but the intention was not contact but to do long and close range shooting of the enemy. It is more likely that the Egyptian chariots would evade enemy charges unless the situation was desperate as at Qadesh. The Egyptian chariot squads were shooting units and not assault units and bear no resemblance to modern tanks. That concept is absurd. They were an intricate part of a relatively sophisticated organization.
When forced to charge otter enemy chariots the same concepts of engagements written about the Hittites would hold true with the exception of runners. It does not appear that at this point in time the Egyptians used runners (it is debatable in any case).
The chariots would be more likely to draw enemy chariots off from the main battle lines. The enemy would chase the Egyptians who had with their bows longer ranges to shoot at their pursuers. The Egyptians might even drawn the enemy to the rear of their own (meaning the enemy’s own) rear. The Egyptian chariots were more of a threat than a danger and would skirmish or fight depending which was more advantageous at the time. Regardless of what course of action was taken by the Egyptian chariots the activities all served supporting the activities of the foot units.
The Egyptians seemed better to handle future threats due to their selection of where battles were fought and that their prime weapon was the bow for both chariots and some of the foot units.
Egyptian Organization
The Egyptian army used corps and divisions. Corps would be any number of divisions not to exceed 4 and later 5. Each division had three basic types of units. These included line infantry in close or loose order being having armor, shields, and using the spear or cutting weapons (strong armed boys). In support of this group was another organization perhaps equal in size of archers (shooters) who could assume a number of different orders for formation (open, loose or even close order). The third part of the division were the chariot units.
Organization of the Division
squad of 10 men
platoon {of 5 squads} of 50 men
company {of 5 platoons} of 250 men
Host or regiment {of 2 or more companies} 500 men
division {of 10 hosts} of 5000 men
A division was made up of 10 regiments or hosts of 500 men each. Up to half (5 regiments) would be Egyptian line infantry and the remainder (5 regiments) archers. Their number would total 4000 to 5000 men total. The line infantry were arranged in blocks and whose intention it was to make contact with the enemy foot. As the line regiments approached the enemy the other 5 regiments would pepper the enemy with endless volleys of arrows or missiles.
Mercenaries of some kind or other (slingers, javelineers or non Egyptian archers) might augment a division.
The third group of the division and to our mind the most interesting were the chariot squads. They were important not as assault units but rather as a support arm to the line infantry. Twenty five chariots would be used for each regiment deployed. A division of 10 regiments would have 250 chariots in support. The chariots might skirmish as the foot units advanced on the enemy. These could give the foot units time to assemble and deploy. In any case they would occupy the enemy as their 2 foot counter parts did their own thing. Without doubt the Egyptian division could between the foot archers and the chariots deliver numerous volleys of arrows on the enemy.
As noted the Egyptian army had 4 divisions in addition to the Royal guard division (called braves). The divisions were named for their respective recruiting areas. Eventually there were a total of 5 such divisions excluding the Royal Division of Sheridans.
Egyptians Finished
Use the Homeric Hack Rules to arrange and manage your Egyptians: use Trojan Ally ratings. Use the same foot unit modifiers and melee values as well. Remember the Egyptians did not dismount from their chariots and we are not even sure they actually carried the runners. I would not recommend using runners. Players using Egyptian armies may include some mercenary units of Nubians, Syrians or Lydians. At this time it is possible that the Nubians were part of the divisions being the 5 regiments of archers; replacing the original Egyptians regiments.
Finally all the Egyptian archers might add as a modifier +1 or even +2 to their shooting modifiers.
