Book Review: War in Ancient Egypt: The New Kingdom (Ancient World at War)
In this book Anthony Spalinger, a well-known Egyptologist at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, introduces us to the Egyptian war machine under the war pharaohs of Dynasty 18 and the Ramesside dynasty.
Spalinger does not deal with the weapons of warfare in detail, but the focus (and therefore the strong point and the greatest contribution of the book) is on the socio-political aspects of warfare; the military classes and logistics, showing how the military was organized, fed, and equipped, which made the Egyptian war machine so effective and creating a world power. The sources analyzed and discussed include texts, iconography, and artefacts. Spalinger is also well acquainted with the German and even the Russian literature on the topic. Of great value to classicists are the many comparisons made, for example, to the way in which the armies of Alexander the Great were organized, again with regard to logistics.
The book has sixteen chapters. Each chapter has an excursus (printed in grey) which gives more information on logistical matters and other issues, and deals with the important literature in which such matters are discussed, followed by notes which also include references to the literature.
There is a chronology as well as maps showing the famous battles of Megiddo and of course Kadesh. Figures (line-drawings but also black-and-white photos) provide additional information on weapons, horses, and scenes of battles (seven dealing with Kadesh). It is quite ironic that the cover depicts the boy-pharaoh Tutankhamen in his chariot pursuing Kushites, although he cannot compare with the great warriors Thutmoses III and Ramses II. Nevertheless, it is a representation typical of the New Kingdom.
Spalinger’s book is no general overview or an introduction to warfare in Egypt covering all periods of Egyptian history. It is a sound and thorough “tour de force” on military logistics, an important contribution not only to Egyptology, but to the study of ancient warfare and warfare in general, and therefore essential reading for all military historians. The way in which the author devotes attention to the minutest details with precise mathematical calculations can be illustrated by the discussion of the Egyptian army under Thutmoses III in the Aruna pass. In spite of all the detail (exact times, e.g. travel speeds, food needed, amounts of troops, horses, etc.) the book is a joy to read.
Review by Sakkie Cornelius
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