What were the main weapons used in the wars in ancient Egypt?
The primary weapon used by all ancient armies is the spear. It’s easy to train on, easy to use well, and gives a small stand-off capability. Movies prefer to show swords, because well the actors like to look cool, but swords were a backup weapon for the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek/Spartan, Persian and Roman armies. The Egyptians also used the bow, though not the powerful composite one, just a simple palm-wood bow. Effective to maybe 100 yards. Shields were small animal hides over a light frame. Effective against arrows, but not a thrusting weapon. No evidence either pictorially or in artifacts of armor. Finally, after the introduction of the horse and chariot by the Hyksos, in the New Kingdom, chariots were used. There’s still considerable discussion, as to their real role: shock weapons-like tanks, weapons platforms, or just transport. It’s likely they were actually used as weapons platforms AND “command vehicles”; to get the Pharaoh and his generals quickly from one part of
