CAE.024

'' Ancient Egyptian Chariots ''

Inhoud:

14 Figuren in 7 standen
2 Paarden in 2 standen
1 Chariot

Afmeting: 23mm

It is the Hyksos that are credited with introducing the chariot to Egypt when they took control of lower Egypt around the middle of the 17th century BCE, and when they were expelled in the following century Egypt kept and developed this innovation. Initially they were Canaanite in style, being exceptionally light and used mostly as mobile archery platforms, with a crew of two – a driver/shield-bearer and a warrior. During the reign of Tuthmosis IV the crew began using more armour and the cab became a little heavier. The most obvious changes were the adoption of six spokes in the wheel (previously they had used four), and the increasing use of protection for the horses. As can be seen above it is this later New Kingdom chariot and crew that forms the subject of this set.

Although heavier than before this remains a light chariot and it has been well modelled here. No one design was universal but this seems very typical and nicely done, including the woven floor and the weapon cases on the sides. The horses too look good, and wear protection that was probably fabric but could conceivably be bronze. The driver is simply clothed in normal style but the warriors wear corselets of scale armour which includes a helmet of similar construction. The second warrior shown has a ring hand (which does not face the mould, so difficult for Caesar to do but well worthwhile), into which the separate weapons can be placed. Thus he could carry an axe or spear, although the bow would not work for this pose.

A very important part of the chariot was the runners – foot soldiers that accompanied the chariot and provided both protection and support. This set provides such a man, although his attitude is one of simply walking alongside the chariot rather than running to stay in contact with it. The archer figure is welcome but we would have preferred a running figure to accompany the chariot in battle. Completing the third row are two bonus civilian figures. The first is a man carrying a bag over his soldier – perhaps going off to join the pharaoh’s army for the new campaign - and the second is a woman, who looks like she may be waving him goodbye