Ancient Military Rosters

[Tyrannosaurus]

http://jabrosky.deviantart.com/gallery/32690743

This is my latest artistic project. I'll be drawing military units from a number of ancient civilization such as Egypt, Persia, and China. As of now I have the Egyptians covered and will be doing the Persians next.

The Egyptians

As a general rule, Egyptian soldiers are cheap and swift, as they have little body armor to burden them, and they maintain morale better under hot conditions. However, this same lack of armor makes them vulnerable to any enemies they can't outrun or outmaneuver.

Peasant: The cheapest and most disposable of the Egyptian military roster, levied peasantry are best used when you don't have the resources or time to train more experienced and disciplined warriors. They can also augment the defense of a city.

Spearman: The main Egyptian defensive infantry, spearmen work especially well against mounted units such as cavalry and war elephants. They can also be used to block narrow passageways Thermopylae-style.

Axeman: Fleeter-footed and more offensive infantry than the Spearman, the Axeman is specialized at taking out other infantry at close quarters. Their agility is their main asset, as they are less well protected than their Spearman counterparts.

Archer: The Egyptians would often begin their battles by having their archers shower arrows upon the enemy to soften their ranks before engaging them with hand-to-hand units. These also come in handy when garrisoned in defensive structures and aboard ships.

Slinger: Though they have inferior firing range to archers and javelineers, Slingers can "reload" faster and are also cheaper.

Javelineer: These fleet-footed spear-throwers are to the Egyptians what Skirmishers were to Age of Empires II; they work especially well against other ranged units.

Chariot Archer: The closest thing the Egyptians have to cavalry, Chariot Archers move faster than men on horseback, but are less maneuverable. However, their combination of speed and range makes them ideal light cavalry for raiding from a distance.

African Elephant: Imported from the savannas south of Nubia, the African Elephant is great for trampling and demoralizing large numbers of enemy soldiers. Elephants can also be used as living battering rams. The Egyptians' African Elephants are larger and stronger than the Indian Elephants used by the Persians, but are more expensive.

[zaphzaph]

It's a very good idea for you tu create a new faction. Your pictures are good . But, I see here an historic error. In fact, what is the period of egyptian time would you create ? New egyptian kingdom ? Ptolemaics empire ?

It's important to decribe that more precisely.

[Tyrannosaurus]

It's a very good idea for you tu create a new faction. Your pictures are good . But, I see here an historic error. In fact, what is the period of egyptian time would you create ? New egyptian kingdom ? Ptolemaics empire ?

It's important to decribe that more precisely.

Mostly Old to New Kingdom, but the elephant was actually inspired by the possible Meroitic Nubian use of them.

[Mythos_Ruler]

These look great.

[L'ethu]

These image are the Egyptian units during the 0 A.D. time line:

mnf.yt (Infantry)

`pr.w (Troopers)

tm3.w (Archers)

šsmt (Horsemen)

`pr.w `h`.w nsw (Marine infantry of Royal ships)

These are the Egyptian unit appear in Rise of Persia mod.

Edited September 22, 2011 by L'ethu

[zaphzaph]

You make an interessant work. The draw lines are good. (y)But, I desagreewith your chariot draw. In fact, in the Egypt in 1500-1200 BC, the egyptians use an improved hyksos chariot. In these chariots, you have an armed or unarmed drivers and one warriors with a composite bow and trusting spear. More, in these period the egyptian don't use elephant in their armies. It's a very little historical tip. link to : http://histoiredetoutpaysdumonde.e-monsite.com/rubrique,l-armee-egyptienne,214607.html

[Mythos_Ruler]

Actually, in 0 A.D.'s time period, the Egyptian army would have been very Hellenistic: Tarantine-style cavalry, Pharaoh's Agema cavalry, pikemen (Greek and Macedonian settlers), pikemen (indigenous Egyptian levy), Galatian (Celts from Asia Minor) mercenaries, Thracian mercs, Rhodian slinger mercs, Cretan Archer mercs, North African war elephants (possibly towered), Libyan skirmishers and spearmen, etc.

[L'ethu]

What i show is Persian period during the time of Darius and Xerxes or before Ptolemy, Darius or Cyrus but i have some of these Hellenistic Egyption unit.

These are the unit:

Machimoi (native Egyptian with javelin, short sword and shield)

Machimoi Phalangitai (Native Egyptian with Macedonian arms and train to fight like Phalanx)

Peltastai (Hellenic Heavy Skirmishers), Thureophoroi (Hellenic Spearmen), Thorakitai (literally cuirassier)

Klerouchoi Phalangitai (Hellenic Medium Phalanx)

Pezhetairoi

Machimoi Hippeis (Native Egyptian Light Cavalry)

Galatikoi Kleruchoi (Galatian Heavy Infantry)

Klerouchikon Agema (Ptolemaic Elite Phalanx)

Agema Klerouchikon Hippeon (Ptolemaic Heavy Cavalry)

Hetairoi (Companion Cavalry)

Toxotai Kretikoi (Cretan Archers)