subject: Shields, Helmets And Body Armor Of Pharaonic Military [print this page] The design of the shield was particularly important when it came to warriors whose weapons require both hands to operate like the bow. There cases where a second party or shield bearer accompanied the archer. Hittite chariots that fought Ramses II at Kadesh were equipped with a shield bearer, archer and driver. As you can tell the extra staff and equipments made for a heavier and bigger chariot that was less fast.
Pharaonic shields were heavier, limiting the time they could be carried, the speed with which the soldiers could advance and their field of vision. Protection was paid for with the effectiveness of the attack. The shield's size was also dependent on the main weapon it was to protect from and changed over the times. In the 20th century, when Egyptians had not yet come into conflict with Asiatics, man-high shields behind which the whole body could be hidden, gave good protection against showers of arrows.
When defending oneself against directed blows of battle axes or swords, smaller shields, which were more easily handled, were a better choice. Thus the tall shields disappeared during the 2nd millennium. Shields were made of wood, often in conjunction with leather or rawhide. During the New Kingdom bronze was sometimes used. Metal plate shields were heavier than leather shields with wooden frames, and did not necessarily afford better protection.
At Stanford University leather covered wooden frame shield and a bronze shield were constructed similar to shields used in ancient times. Attempts at piercing them with a sword and a lance were made. While the bronze shield was split by the sword and pierced by the spear, the leather shield with its higher elasticity was not penetrated. The shields were held by a handle or a leather strip fastened to the centre of the frame (see photograph below). At times attempts were made to free the shield arm for offensive action, or at least for carrying another weapon. The shield was carried by a strap slung over the shoulder and was thus reduced to a passive piece of armor protecting one side of the body.
Like civilians Egyptian combatants seldom covered their heads except the pharaoh who wore a special headgear. The Asiatics on the contrary were helmeted; this can be seen at the Luxor coronation of Horemheb's, the Asiatics and Egyptians were foes and fought many battles. Many of the mercenaries drafted into the Egyptian army were allowed to maintain their traditions, those from Europe like Sherden, Asiatics or philistines were always helmeted. Nubians are never shown as being helmeted.
Considering the climate of Africa, little armor was worn. When protection was important during combat then bands of leather were worn that covered a portion of charioteer's torso, wall depiction in Egypt don't show soldiers wearing any kind of protection during combat; this of course doesn't apply to the Pharaohs. Depictions of Ramses show him wearing scale armor when in combat with sleeves extending to the torso. His legs were protected by the chariot. Egyptian foes such as the Asiatic wore body armor. Armor usage is therefore seen as show of status. Royal family members had body armor made from precious stones.
