Foreign Relations: Warrior Pharaoh

Question 1

What is the ‘Warrior Pharaoh’?

Answer 1

One of the most enduring images of ancient Egypt, dating to the beginnings of the civilisation.

A political and religious statement that emphasises the king’s role as upholder of maat, triumphing over the forces of chaos (foreign enemies, bound captives etc.)

New Kingdom Egypt’s pharaohs were less distant and god-like, actually fighting with their troops in battle, causing the militarisation of the Warrior Pharaoh. This added the image of a chariot to the traditional elements

Question 2

Features of the ‘Warrior Pharaoh’ Image

Answer 2

The pharaoh…

• Leading his soldiers into a victorious battle
• Attacking the enemy in his chariot
• Wearing war regalia (blue war crown/pharaonic headress)
• Being larger than life, holding enemies in his hand and ‘smiting’ them (club their brains with a mace)
• In the guise of a sphinx trampling enemies
• Offering spoils of war to Amun

Question 3

Punisher

Main Forms of the Warrior Pharaoh

Answer 3

Shown with a weapon held over the head of an enemy, ready to smite them.

Ramesses I

Seti I

• The War Scene of Seti I shows him riding in a chariot, arm raised in anticipation of smiting an enemy

Question 4

Military Leader

Main Forms of the Warrior Pharaoh

Answer 4

Portrayed defeating foreign armies without assistance.

Question 5

Hunter/Athlete

Main Forms of the Warrior Pharaoh

Answer 5

A perfect physical specimen, capable of fighting evil in the symbolic form of animals and performing feats of great athleticism

Question 6

Amenhotep III

Answer 6

Warfare was replaced with diplomacy and foreign marriage; but warrior pharaoh iconography continued.

• Tablet of Victory from his mortuary temple shows him driving his chariot over Nubian and Syrian enemies, as he is “annihilating the heir of the wretched Kush” and “smiting Mitanni with his mighty sword”.
• Issued the lion and bull hunting scarabs to promote his hunting prowess, claiming he killed 102 lions in 10 years

Question 7

Akhenaten

Answer 7

Less focus on warrior pharaoh imagery.

• Talatat from East Karnak showing him killing prisoners beneath the Aten

Question 8

Tutankhamun

Answer 8

Re-establishment of warrior pharaoh iconography, even though it is doubted that he participated in campaigns.

• Painted wooden chest from his tomb shows him driving his chariot into battle against Nubian and Asiatic warriors.

Question 9

19th Dynasty

Answer 9

Produced battle cycles on temple walls with explanatory text; included depictions of preparations for war, marching troops, the battle itself, victory parades, the pharaoh smiting the enemy, and dedications to Amun (e.g. the battle of Kadesh).

• Ramesses II in the siege of Dapur is shown fighting without wearing armour