Egyptian Chariot

In the ancient world, chariots were single-axle military vehicles harnessed to horses. They usually consisted of two wheels with a simple bar to which the horses were harnessed. The platform was shaped like the letter D and had a handrail on the sides and at the front. This was usually richly decorated. The entrance was at the back on the open side. A chariot was so lightly built that it could also be carried by one man.

It was from the race of the Hittites and the Hyksos, a group of foreign kings, that the Egyptians adopted many weapons technologies, probably also the chariots. As a great power, Egypt could afford to purchase and maintain the vehicles. Special knowledge and much effort were required for maintenance. In addition, horses had to be kept in large herds, which had not existed in Egypt until then. This meant that suitable stabling, care and training of the animals were necessary. The training of the charioteers and horse trainers was also very costly.

The soldiers on the chariots were archers. The chariots were also equipped with shields and weapons such as lances, axes or javelins. The chariot corps of the Egyptian army was an elite force. It was divided into squadrons of 25 chariots each. Several squadrons formed a regiment. In a battle, many chariot regiments rode on the flanks of the infantry, others were ready behind the front as reserves. During an attack, several hundred chariots rode close together. This gave them a more massive effect and also influenced the enemy psychologically. The reserve was responsible for pursuing the enemy. Pharaohs always rode into battle on chariots. Whether they rode ahead, were part of the army or stayed in the background is not known.

About 3,600-year-old reliefs from Egyptian tombs and temples show pharaohs and warriors proudly charging into battle on chariots drawn by horses. But the vehicles were not only popular with the Egyptian army. Anyone who was anyone would buy one or more chariots as an object of prestige. People at that time were fascinated by the latest technology, practicality and comfort. A chariot could reach a speed of 40 kilometres per hour. In the ancient world, such a speed was unimaginable before then. The enthusiasm for these vehicles was naturally also great among kings and pharaohs. Queen Nefertiti had herself depicted with her chariot in a relief. During excavations, huge stables were discovered that date back to Ramses II. In Tutanchamun’s burial chambers, several chariots were found as burial objects.