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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 9[SUP]th[/SUP] OCTOBER 2023
THE ANCIENTS
ARMIES AND ENEMIES OF THE NEW KINGDOM EGYPTIANS
NUBIAN AND LIBYAN MERCENARIES
The country of Nubia was divided into distinct regions such as Yam, Irthet and Wawat, but all the peoples were known to the Egyptians as the “vile” Kush, which was the Egyptian name for the country.
These tribesmen were never any real threat to Egypt as they lacked any large scale organisations and were only at their best when actually fighting as auxiliaries in the Egyptian forces.
The success of the Egyptian infantry units was mainly due to the archery sections which were composed in the main, of Nubians.
Nubia had been conquered during the Middle Kingdom, but fell to the king of Kush in the Hyksos period and was finally re-conquered during the New Kingdom. This secured the southern frontier and controlled the Nubian gold mines. Nubia was settled with Egyptian colonists in forts and “temple towns” and governed by a viceroy.
Nubian troops had been an important part of the Egyptian army since the old Kingdom. Nubian tribes included the famous Medja who were regarded by the Egyptians as the best scouts and skirmishers. They were known for wearing leopard and lion skin kilts and had ostrich feathers in their hair.
The Medjway were very highly regarded by the Egyptians as they seemed to have a natural affinity for the military life.
During the 20[SUP]th[/SUP] Dynasty Egyptian power declined, and Egypt itself was beset with Libyan incursions and attempted invasions by the sea peoples.
The Libyans were originally composed of two peoples namely the Tehenu and the Temehu. These were later joined by tribes called the Kehek and Meshwesh, the latter being the most notable of all the Libyan tribes.
These peoples never did well against the Egyptians due mainly to their lack of chariots, and were no match for the Egyptians at this time.
The first Libyan War in 1193 BC, Pharaoh Rameses III of the 20[SUP]th[/SUP] Dynasty fought a mixed army of Libyans and Sea Peoples, which were led by King Themer. The invaders were beaten back with over 12,000 killed and 1,000 taken prisoner.
Libyans wore animal hide cloaks and had dyed ostrich feathers in their hair.
Many Libyans who raided Egypt during the reigns of Merenptah and Ramesses III were captured and impressed as auxiliary troops in the Egyptian army. Ramesses III’s battle scenes illustrate many Libyans armed with bows, as well as long slashing swords traded from the sea peoples.
These figures will of course be suitable for the Trojan War series as King Memnon’s army.
Memnon was the King of the Ethiopians, who after the death of the Trojan warrior Hector, went to assist his uncle Priam, against the Greeks.
He arrived with a great army, and performed prodigies of valour, but was slain by the Greek hero Achilles.
According to tradition, Zeus , the king of the gods, was moved by the tears of Eos and bestowed immortality upon Memnon. His companions were changed into birds, called Memnonides, that came every year to fight and lament over his grave
Best wishes,
john jenkins
THE ANCIENTS
ARMIES AND ENEMIES OF THE NEW KINGDOM EGYPTIANS
NUBIAN AND LIBYAN MERCENARIES
The country of Nubia was divided into distinct regions such as Yam, Irthet and Wawat, but all the peoples were known to the Egyptians as the “vile” Kush, which was the Egyptian name for the country.
These tribesmen were never any real threat to Egypt as they lacked any large scale organisations and were only at their best when actually fighting as auxiliaries in the Egyptian forces.
The success of the Egyptian infantry units was mainly due to the archery sections which were composed in the main, of Nubians.
Nubia had been conquered during the Middle Kingdom, but fell to the king of Kush in the Hyksos period and was finally re-conquered during the New Kingdom. This secured the southern frontier and controlled the Nubian gold mines. Nubia was settled with Egyptian colonists in forts and “temple towns” and governed by a viceroy.
Nubian troops had been an important part of the Egyptian army since the old Kingdom. Nubian tribes included the famous Medja who were regarded by the Egyptians as the best scouts and skirmishers. They were known for wearing leopard and lion skin kilts and had ostrich feathers in their hair.
The Medjway were very highly regarded by the Egyptians as they seemed to have a natural affinity for the military life.
During the 20[SUP]th[/SUP] Dynasty Egyptian power declined, and Egypt itself was beset with Libyan incursions and attempted invasions by the sea peoples.
The Libyans were originally composed of two peoples namely the Tehenu and the Temehu. These were later joined by tribes called the Kehek and Meshwesh, the latter being the most notable of all the Libyan tribes.
These peoples never did well against the Egyptians due mainly to their lack of chariots, and were no match for the Egyptians at this time.
The first Libyan War in 1193 BC, Pharaoh Rameses III of the 20[SUP]th[/SUP] Dynasty fought a mixed army of Libyans and Sea Peoples, which were led by King Themer. The invaders were beaten back with over 12,000 killed and 1,000 taken prisoner.
Libyans wore animal hide cloaks and had dyed ostrich feathers in their hair.
Many Libyans who raided Egypt during the reigns of Merenptah and Ramesses III were captured and impressed as auxiliary troops in the Egyptian army. Ramesses III’s battle scenes illustrate many Libyans armed with bows, as well as long slashing swords traded from the sea peoples.
These figures will of course be suitable for the Trojan War series as King Memnon’s army.
Memnon was the King of the Ethiopians, who after the death of the Trojan warrior Hector, went to assist his uncle Priam, against the Greeks.
He arrived with a great army, and performed prodigies of valour, but was slain by the Greek hero Achilles.
According to tradition, Zeus , the king of the gods, was moved by the tears of Eos and bestowed immortality upon Memnon. His companions were changed into birds, called Memnonides, that came every year to fight and lament over his grave
Best wishes,
john jenkins
