Ancient Egypt Soldiers

The army policed the borders, collected taxes, and controlled the people of Egypt.  During the New Kingdom Period from 1570 to 1085 BCE. the army was divided into two groups: the wealthy knights who drove the king's chariots and the infantrymen, foot soldiers. Soldiers fought with bows and arrows or spears.

 

Boys who were to become soldiers were taken away from their families as children. They lived in camps where they were trained. Soldiers not only fought wars for their king, but they traveled to faraway lands to find gold, ebony, or ivory. They organized the workmen in the quarries and oversaw the transportation of stone blocks when the pharaoh built a temple. The best soldiers guarded the palace. Others were sent out to patrol the borders.