Ancient Egypt's LETHAL Fighting Force | Ancient Top 10 (Season 1)

Summary

The Egyptian war chariot, depicted at Abu Simbel, was a dominant force for over 1,000 years. With a design allowing speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, these chariots were manned by a driver and an archer, offering precision and mobility. The chariot's six-spoked wheel provided shock absorption, a principle used in modern car suspension. The Battle of Kadesh saw 6,000 chariots in action, with the Egyptian design proving superior. Chariots played a key role in the Egyptian empire's expansion and were so revered that they accompanied pharaohs, like Tutankhamun, into the afterlife.

Takeaways

• 🏺 The Egyptian war chariot was depicted in the temple of Abu Simbel, showcasing its historical significance.
• 🛡️ Chariots were considered formidable weapons, allowing armored units to swiftly engage and defeat ground soldiers from a higher vantage point.
• 🚀 Known for their speed and mobility, war chariots dominated battlefields for over a millennium, with the Egyptian chariot being the most superior.
• 🏎️ Egyptian chariots were capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, providing them with the agility to maneuver effectively in combat.
• 🎯 Each chariot was crewed by two men: a driver and an archer, allowing for specialized focus and increased combat efficiency.
• 🏹 The chariot's archer had a 360-degree firing capability, unlike a horse-mounted archer who was limited to shooting in one direction.
• 🔟 A hundred chariots could unleash a thousand arrows per minute, a rate comparable to modern Apache helicopters, making them a devastating force.
• 🛠️ Egyptian chariot wheels featured six spokes and a flexible wooden rim, contributing to their speed and ability to traverse rough terrain.
• 🌪️ The Battle of Kadesh was a pivotal clash where an estimated 6,000 chariots were involved, the largest number of vehicles ever on a battlefield.
• ⚔️ In the Battle of Kadesh, the Egyptian chariots' superior design and lighter construction gave them an edge over the Hittite chariots, which were manned by three people.
• 🪦 Chariots were so revered that they were buried with Egyptian pharaohs, such as Tutankhamun, who was interred with six well-preserved war chariots, some gold-clad with advanced suspension systems.

Q & A

What is depicted on the walls of the temple of Abu Simbel?

The depiction of the war chariot in action is found on the walls of the temple of Abu Simbel.

How is a war chariot described in the script?

A war chariot is described as an incredible weapon that allows an armored unit to move quickly and slay ground soldiers from an elevated position of protection.

What was the significance of war chariots in ancient warfare?

War chariots were significant for their ability to create shock and awe, being fast and mobile, and they dominated the battlefield for over 1,000 years.

Why were Egyptian war chariots considered the best?

Egyptian war chariots were considered the best due to their superior design, which allowed them to move up to 30 miles an hour, positioning themselves effectively on the battlefield.

What was the composition of a typical Egyptian war chariot crew?

A typical Egyptian war chariot had two men aboard: a driver and an archer, each fully concentrating on their specific roles.

How did the design of the chariot allow for versatility in combat?

The design of the chariot, with a right-handed archer, allowed for shooting in any direction, unlike a horse-mounted archer who could only shoot to the left.

What was the rate of fire that 100 chariots could achieve?

100 chariots could let off 1,000 arrows a minute, which is a devastating rate of fire similar to that of a modern Apache helicopter.

What was unique about the design of the Egyptian chariot wheel?

The Egyptian chariot wheel was made of six spokes and a flexible wood rim, allowing for fast travel across even the roughest terrain, a principle used in modern shock absorbency and suspension systems.

What historical battle involved a large number of chariots?

The epic battle of Kadesh, where it's estimated that as many as 6,000 chariots clashed, is the historical battle that involved a large number of chariots.

Why were the Egyptian chariots more effective in the battle of Kadesh?

The Egyptian chariots were more effective in the battle of Kadesh because they were better designed and crafted, lighter, and more mobile than the three-man chariots of the Hittites.

How did the use of chariots contribute to the Egyptian empire's expansion?

The use of chariots allowed the Egyptian empire to expand and become the mightiest of its time, as they provided a decisive advantage in warfare with their lethal firepower and mobility.

What is known about Tutankhamun's burial in relation to chariots?

Tutankhamun, the most famous pharaoh, was buried with six incredibly preserved war chariots, two of which were clad in gold with shock-absorbing suspension systems.