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Geoff Nurcombe's Middle Kingdom Army (Essex)
Old & Middle Kingdom Egyptian
(3000-1550 BC)
(DBA 2)
According to ancient Egyptian history, King Menes or Narmer united Upper and Lower Egypt around approximately 3000 BC, and built the great city of Memphis to celebrate the unification. The dualistic nature of Egypt survived through ten Dynasties of rulers, as the kingdom prospered and declined in turn. The power of the Kings, however, was constantly challenged by provincial governors and reoccuring splits between the North and South. The rise of the Heracleopolitan Kings (9th and 10th Dynasties) saw a divided Egypt with the north in ascendancy as the Old Kingdom period came to a close.
Prince Mentuhotep Nebhepetre of Thebes (a.k.a. Wesat, Luxor) reunited Egypt circa 2040 BC, beginning what is referred to as the Middle Kingdom Period, which lasted until 1640 BC. During the reigns of Sesostris I and Sesostris III (c. 1962-1842 BC), the Egyptians campaigned in Libya and consolidated their hold over Lower Nubia by building a line of at least sixteen forts and fortified towns along a 35 kilometer stretch of the Nile River known as the Second Cataract.
Following the Middle Kingdom, there was an intermediate period in which weak 14th, 16th and 17th Dynasty kinglets ruled a fragmented Egypt, co-existing with the15th Dynasty of the Asiatic Hyksos rulers, who controlled large portions of Egypt. The DBA list ends in approximately 1550 BC, when Khamose reformed the army and starting driving out the Hyksos, founding the first of the New Egyptian dynasties.
Enemies
Egyptians of the Old and Middle Kingdoms could find themselves engaged in Civil War (#2), guarding the Nubian border (#3), encroaching upon the Early Libyans (#4a) and Early Syrians (#4b), and resisting the influx of the Hyksos (#8a).
Composition
| 4 x 4Sp |
Retainers, warriors and conscript spear including (presumeably) the Menfat Axemen |
| 6 x 4Bw |
Archers |
| 2 x 2Ps or 3Bw |
Scouts/Runners. 3Bw are subject Nubian |
The Old & Middle Kingdom Egyptian army was comprised of spear and bowmen, each recruited from three different classes: Shemsu (retainers), Ahauty (warriors) and Nome (conscripts). In addition, there was a small proportion of the army (i.e. groups of Ahauty and the famous Menhat Axemen), who carried waraxes.
Tactics
Forthcoming
Camp
A desert-style tent or party of slave bearers makes for a simple but appropriate camp. One colorful possibility would be a pyramid, which were built during the Old Kingdom period. Anther possibility is a group of priests bearing a statue or representation of the Egyptian gods Horus or Seth.
Miniatures and Painting Tips
Forthcoming
Other Resources
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Last Updated: August 22, 1999
Questions, comments, suggestions welcome. Send them to Chris Brantley, brant@erols.com.
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