The Warrior Pharaoh in New Kingdom Egypt

Central to the concept of Kinship in the New Kingdom was the King’s portrayal as the warrior pharaoh. This was both a political and religious statement & emphasised the king’s role as upholder of ma’at (order and stability). In earlier times, the king was a distant and mysterious being held in god-like awe by his subjects. However, By New Kingdom times he was a more earthly, vulnerable figure who fought alongside his troops in battle.

“Warrior Pharaoh” iconography in the New Kingdom traditionally depicted the king triumphing over the forces of chaos, represented by foreign enemies and bound captives- this promoted the idea of the pharaoh as a supreme, infallible and invulnerable being.

The essential features of the New Kingdom warrior pharaoh image include:

• The pharaoh leading his soldiers into battle and returning in victory.
• Attacking the enemy in his chariot, a New Kingdom innovation.
• Wearing war regalia, e.g. the blue war crown or other pharaonic headdresses.
• In larger than life depictions, holding one or more of the enemy with one hand, while he clubs their heads with a mace- “smiting the enemy.”
• In the guise of a sphinx trampling the enemy.
• Offering the spoils of war to the god Amun, the inspiration of his victory.

During the reign of Amenhotep, warfare was replaced by diplomacy & foreign marriage. The royal iconography however, required the king to portray himself as a potent warrior pharaoh. The Tablet of Victory from his mortuary temple show Amenhotep III driving his chariot over both Nubian and Syrian enemies.

The apparent absence of scenes depicting Akhenaten in the traditional warrior pose has led many scholars to assume that his reign lacked military dimension. Recent evidence, however, suggests he pursued a traditional foreign policy. A traditional warrior scene at East Karnak depicts Akhenaten killing prisoners beneath the rays of the Aten.

The brief reign of Tutankhamun witnessed a re-establishment of the traditional “warrior pharaoh” iconography of the king, even though there is some doubt that the king ever personally conducted a military campaign. The painted wooden chest from his tomb shows the young pharaoh as a warrior, driving his chariot into battle against both Nubian and Asiatic warriors.

The 19^th Dynasty Ramesside Kings produced a large number of pharaonic battle scenes on temple walls accompanied by explanatory texts. These new battle scenes include depictions of preparations for war, troops marching off to fight and the battle itself. Ramesses II at the Battle of Kadesh is shown fighting in his chariot without his protective mail shirt. The accompanying text records that he fought 3 times, and on one occasion for two hours, without his shirt!