Ancient Armies of the Middle East

51 Pages·1981·36.92 MB·English

by  Terence Wise

MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES

ANCIENT ARMIES OF
THE MIDDLE EAST

TERENCE WISE ANGUS McBRIDE
EDITOR: MARTIN WINDROW

MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES

ANCIENT ARMIES OF
THE MIDDLE EAST

Text by
TERENCE WISE
Colour plates by
ANGUS McBRIDE
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ISBN © Bjo4s 3844

Sources

Balke J. The Sto of th Phares Londo 1917
Jb, le Testa
Bows, PAB. The Baad (30 of te Bat Nino, London 183

Bovey. ed) Fhe dmv Artaf Herre, ts Londo 1

Gator, BE. Weaas of Wa. Lonenn 105
Covell, L, Te df rcatin, New Voo 057

Gants, J Wied Veh e niet Weir Ava Landon 2975

iy Noctis, NNS 42

Iraptomnosptespbishing cok

[seers Wo Thelin Kingdoms of he Nie. New York te

Goncan, R. Wess af the Asien Wit Landon 1935
Gury, OK. Te Hts, Harmondewsntls 1953
Heredotus, The isis, lament 9

Hervog, Ce Gihon, M-Sat te Bie Lona 98

Hin, W trans J aes! Ti Za Wl of Bm Lamar 4972

Keller, foans W. Nell The Bible Her. London 1936

Keller Wftrun W Neils Ph its Hrs pete
Tendon 1954

Tayurd, AHL Ags en ts Rms, Landon 055

Magaussoa, M. Tie Aehatgy ft Dbe Land, London 197%

earpero, G.Fifesn Anon Rept and dyin Lh Bae

Keawinsen, (3, ity of dnt By. Fal London 8

Witkinson, Sie]. Gol Ptr Asn! te cet pions
Pale © 2 iaradon ep,

Vaadin, ¥. (ara Mi Penrtan) Tie dt af Way sR

‘London 193
Ancient Armies of the Middle Kast

Introduction (Stead ethereal
Tha
shai re ee pe de

pact out the
Tat ic isla

itis woe lere Lo deseribe Forte), Lebaom, Syl,
Jovlan. Tea, Fay che novthernmes: parisatthe
Swlan and Saudi Arabic, and that vegion of
westeru Asia which now forms the greater part of
Turkey the Asia Minor ofa

uly, he period chosen coincides with that

red loin military terms asthe Age ofthe
but T have taken 310
sine thats

proximal
golthe Bronce Agen
that areas ann have ended withthe obliteration a

caving wit the

the Assrian Erapie in 822m, Apent Irom brie
return na, she fall
Ausvia snarker the beginning! the demin
ofthe Milly East by ihe Medes, Persians an
(Grecks all peopirs om outside aur chaxen area
Mhivelly, although the period ane ay
cmmpas
that the Gi

nate his work: th

should domi:
fn Egypt and Asya shan on their Ie
bouts. This is as ie should be, aid
determined to som

seat by the i

available: we know uch of th

Fie ofthe Elana, Sve example

Finally, thescope ofthe book combined with he

fiyd state of che popelation of the Middle
ont sites, has mae it

ry chronology andl some de

to inelide a

peoples
may be unelrsinid who the
feelers a som af ee ae

Beeman

nawers. Lave cortectedl same of the mst gla ng
errors, fst mise dusim the lt century ane
per wste ig popu warks eu

aévanced snine thoughts of ny wm, bat
refer the reader in particular tthe work
Professor Vashi, Dr Kelle and

ton for up-todate apprais

net Magu
of arcsec

These iv & sueprsing gap in weodern popul
works om itary history when fe enmnes to the
Middle Hast of ancient ames. | Rope shis small
primer” wall fonts. suficiene. Girtociny to en

‘hich tsaurely worthy of more intevest—the very
bith of vocarded suilitary history i ie Yradle uf
exilzation

Chronology

1.6. 9500 Mesepolanies Semitic population
thers Mesopotani

rates known collect

gt00 Moatutemia: Piclogt
ing commences. Lgyets Unica
tion of Uppecand Lower Layptbs
Menes, founde: of 1 Dytaay
ecuicyd on Memphis

goo Early Beonze Age: Helicvré
inmroenred by Sumerians, 4

‘upland. plains of nortl-easter
Mesopotamia,
alle Hgyfis Deaths of Mens. Egypt
lived! ue to Kingdon hy Is
2686 B30: Bopincingo® Old Kingcom
able Meofatanias Fist snention of
Eines, clefeatea by Sumerian
6 Kish. Brioe v0 this it would
lamiresiay have had
Some supremacy over Mesopat

goa Firat Terary tex, Meputoie
Suen cite first uaited under
cig Dynanty of Us)
goo Siri” Rise of Cs
based at Ebi
390 Movpuionia: Subjugation a
Sumer by Semivc people led
igen. who founds apical at
Akad Raypi> Old Kingda

sagas Moopecnies Elam and) Moa
subjugated by Akkadian

2285 Mesoputemio

Gutians, 6 nn

tain people from northeast eo
‘quer Akkad and Bln

205 Mropotemin

Oldest kiowes i

scription of an Asytian prince
Zavikv o Aett

axe any Haig!

tee Inteemedine: Pesiod

VIL X Donate
axgg-igge Herp Male

NIP Dynasties
the princes of

Kingglom XL
I NE Dynaste
hicbes grasa

svete Middl

Kingdom, centaed an Thebes

2100 Mespetamie
Supremacy
Ur

Samer rexai
der HT Dynasty ob

2930 Mewputamie® Blam ee-emaenges

& federation of cities an
king
ota Metpalemie

Norther: Mesope:
tama i oveeeum fy Tesh waves of
Sesmites(Anorites! fan the wes
000 Mevyptemia® 1st ‘Old Babs-
lenian Finpire established hy
Atnorius wit capita at Blyton
‘blest

appear Irom Caticasts Moe
faite rego and etal ine
dla of Mianni between upper

Tigrisand Eupheutes. dvi Miner
Histes emerge a major power in
oortlieen and central Asia Min
sz000 1750 Syria Eanergene of Marie hie
Pitysstate of middle Enphrats
1991-1786 Faypts Under NU Dytasty Hay

& y
expands southveards into Nubia
ane lower Sadan, and eastwards
towards Syria.
1900 Mesopotamia: Asysia expands to
form the Old Engine based om
Ashu
3706-1567 Kespis awed Intermediate Period
:XII-XVII Dynasties
1764 Mesopotamia: Blam te cong
bby Hammnrabi of eso
1750 Sire? Mavi destroved by Mame
murah
2730 Meoputanin: Kossites, a bare
barian mountaie prope, begin te
sngfltrate from north-east
1795 Mepeiemia’ Babylon Empice
under Hamrourali achieves
dominance overall Mesepotatia,

seek

Old Asysian Empice is among
those subjugated,
2700-4550 Fixe? Egypt ie ruled by an
Asiatic people, colloguislly
termed the Hykiis
1590 Mespotomie: Minti begin lange
scale expansion (Ole Empire)
1576 Fst: Hiyksis. expelled, their
Nubian allies reconquered, and
Egypt reanited for 4 magnificent
few era known asthe New
Kingdom, XVIL-XX Dynasiien

A550 Mesopotamia” Hise pressure on
Babylonian Empire from north
west enables Kesstes to overrun
southern Mesopotaniia and estab
Tish kingdom, Hatter seg
‘expand sonhwards into Sy,

530 Mespotamia: Kasstes take over
Babylonian Empire

1500 Mespstanie: Por next 700 years
nore ie infleration int southern
Mesopotirnia hy a Semitic desert
people known as the Chaldeans,
nditisthey who provide seh
the vitality shows by the Baby:
lonian Empire at this tise in is
consiant siruggle against Ayrian
‘domination,

age Buypt: Expire extendest southe
wards beyond ith Cataract
westwards into Libya, sae cat
‘wards into Palestine

75 Ase Minor: Hite Eanpiee begins
fo threaten Kyypt’s expansion
ita Palestine ate Syria

1408 Syrig: Hittite advance south.
wards halied by Fgyptiane a
Megidde,

445 Fiypt> Layptians genetoae
‘Mesopotamia

1380 Mesatnnin> Asses, begins rive
lodaminsnee

3373 Ade Minor: Hints expand again
to overrun Babylonian Empire
sand once mare enter Sys

955 Siria> Hitsiees conquer kingdom
‘of Mitaes
350 Siro Hives establish comer
‘over Syria and threaten Egypt's
positon i Palestine

28i Syria’ Egyptians halt iets at
Kadesh and negotiate peace
Sorie to the Hite, Palestine 1
Egypt. Mosficmie: Blamites
seize opporcunityofcurtailmencot
Hie power to regain their
independence and subsequently
enjoy 2 galden age

2273 Mespuionix: Hittes declare war
‘on rapidly expanding Assyrian
Empire, Therealie the power o
the Hittites declines rapidly die to
wars wide Asari it dhe eas,
invasions by the Sea Peoples frm
the west, and internal disorders,
When che expire finally disnte
irate rr fa20- 1200, new inde
pect Kingdoms ate Founded a
Malatia, Zinio, Careherssh
ell Halaf and other places in
sorchert Spr,

rage ain Minor: First assaults by Sen
Peoples

3206 Mesofotomi: Liam conquers Nip
pur in central Babyloma and
forces Kassite king to flee, There
after Bam comes gradually tinder

aa yin: Traditional date of Israel's

conquest vf Cana

ago sia Miner: Seveve famine. Grain
ships sent from Exype

rary byt: Starcing Libyans begin 10
rove horder into De

1206 Meopolemir: Rasstes love Baby:

louis to expanding Avyrian Em-
pi, with itscapital at Nineveh,

1200 Thelron Age: The shele Middl
East is in.a turmoil a8 contined

tions, Cyprus had been engulled
by the Sea Peoples, who then
advanced on land through (andlin
hips slong the coasts of) Asia
Minor, Syria and Palestine, xl
are only halted at the hardens of
Faypt, sive c1g0. Usagit and
other constal cities in Canaan are
‘overwhelmed by these invasions
[Ramesee 11, who defeats the Sea
Peoples but dors at erush thet
‘wisely gives them lands there, cus
seating Philisia. ‘The Hittite
Empice disintegrates under this
soe presiae, combined with the

Srmed wie doable hos tm whi the Saeae
growth off Assyrian power, ‘The 100 Fp: End of Eayptian Empire,

Phrygians arrive from the noreh- following 1 ceeaury of decline as
west to take over the Lancs the anilitary caste diste central
Hines in Asa Minor, while authority ofthe Pharach and split
Assstia seizes Mesopotamia and fmpire into a mumber of inde
tstablishes the Early” Empire, pendent fedal states,

‘whieh lasts wai 85, 080-1025 Polelne: Tarac invaded by Phil

200x100 Dusting this ceutury the great ‘vines and subjugated by them,

Fgyptian Empire also declines as seaB-aox3 Potetnes Israelites under Saal
the Pharaohs lose authority ver defeat ae expel Philistines,

their generals. Wih the great xox0-973 Paletiné= Ieraclieee under David
empires gone or in decline, nd heck and destroy resurgent Phil
Assyria noc yer atte heighe of its sine power. United Monarchy of
power, the various peoples. in Isvael and Juda foresed, and
Palestine and Syria coalesce inca becomes involved in continues
rnumber of independent and com wars sith Edom, Ammon, and
standly warring states, Notable Mob, and ramacans to. the
amongst ese are the Philistines north. United! Monarchy com
andl Phoenteiaus the Gevek nae quer Palestine ane dorninates
Tor the Cansanites) im the coast ‘best of Syria, exeating mn empire
plain of Syria and Palestine: the extending fiom the borer of
Israelites in the bil of Palestine Fgyps to the Eupbraces

the Aramacan Kingdoms uf 950 Feb: Libyans overran Egypt
eastern Syria—of which Damas: aun fone NXT (Labyas
fs was the most important: and Dynasty f9g0-730i, but are
the Ammonites, Mes bites, Migha- eventually absorbed into Egyp,
nites andl Edorites eat nd south Gan society and eslure,

of the Jordan a the Des Sea, 950-929 Palstaes Fxyptian campaigas

2116-1093 ssi? Assyria boonies he lead against United Moser

ing power in the Miele Ess 985 Paiesne: Following death of
110 Menjotamies Encl of classical Soloman (933, ané_afler Tong
period of Flam, fllowed by 300 wars vith Fgypt, Judah ac
ears of silence, Ibrsel are divided. There fellow

0 years of war between the 260

Avram en of the Late rong Agate rt century states, and with their neighbors
‘Renn Secs wo wand or rect ec gh 885-859 Asyriz: Reign of Ashuenasinps
fycocaey ke ecad bop agus and ses) TT capital moved to Nimrwe.
79 Mespotenia: Ashurnasirpal WL
‘feats Kessies at Sur

876 Patines Building 0 Esaehte
‘capital at Samatia,

58 fag duis Repeated campaigns by
Shalmaneser LIL to subdue Are

Bgz Poictnes Mosbites re-establich
ieniependenoe fram Issel

55, Menpatonia: Migration of Medes
into what is aw noeta-west Ira,
Kurdistan and Azerbaijan, Clash
swith Assyrian

Bax evspotomia: Klan conquered
by Assyrians

8x8 Aeinpatonsa: Awytians defeat
alliance of Babylonians. Biamices
ane Chaldeses at Dur-Paprial.

‘09-785 Pattion: Jodah seauins inde
perndence and takes Edom

ape Haipt: Bith of new kingdom o
Ethiopia wich capital a Nepaca,
The kings subsequent rule Bay:
XV Eahiogian Dynasty) ani
56

15-727 Avia: Reign of Tiglachpileser
LL, so founds the Late ot Neo
‘Assyrian Empire, Invades Piles
tineand Syria, and also wages war
fon Babylonians, Araby nd
Mods,

12 Mespatomias Vlamites revolt
against Asyrian rule, and abo
fight off Persnns enersaching
from ex

ae Palesine: Samaria taken by
‘Assyrians. Large pare of popula
tion deported to remote parts of
Assyrian Bripire: survivors are
mised with imported Syrians,
Arabs and Babyzonians and sub
‘sequently become the Samaritans.

Fnioe terns ratios treed
Gee crceteem megan
ec elieaa races

Israel ceases to exist.

‘par-yos dnsrio: Reign wf Sargon I
Capital moved to Khorsabad

706 Mowputoni: All Chaldean sii
now under Assyrian domination

705-680 Aisiria® Reign of Sennseherib
feapisl moved to Nnevel

7o8-6yg Syria Babylon revels against
Assyrian ruleand allies with Phili=
stine cities, Judah, Edom, Moab,
Ammon ana Bey, but at Altaq
Bleekeb the alles are defeated
by Senmacherib, who then invades
JJideh and sacks Lachish,

Joo Mespotemia: Assy gains do
nance over Medes

690 Mevypotomia: Allan of Eka,
AAramacans and Chaldeans eo
feted by Assyrians at Khalsle,

(69 ANernetemin: Babylon sacked by
Sennscherib

690. 68x Pajstine: Phraniy Tabs ia
S66) checks Assyrians, forers Sen-
nacheribtorecirefrom Judah, and
restores Egyptian influence in
Soria,

74 Palene: Assyrian advance: on
Fay foreed back,

6px Herpes Asarians inwade Exypt
and eake Memphis,

(668-661 Laipt: Series of Egyptian revel
sided by Grok mureenaries and
dover the Salte or XXV1 Dynasty
(663-525). Suppressed by
Assrians. Thebes sacked in 663,