War in ancient Egypt - Anthony John Spalinger

This book is an introduction to the Pharaonic war machine of New Kingdom Egypt from ca. 1575 - 1100 bc. Written by a respected Egyptologist, it concentrates on Dynasty XVIII and the Ramesside period, in which the Egyptians created a professional army and gained control of Syria, creating an "Empire of Asia. " The author highlights technological developments during this period, such as the new use of chariots and siege technology, and considers the socio-political aspects of warfare, particularly the rise to power of a new group of men. At the same time, he evaluates the military effectiveness of the Egyptian state by looking at the logistics of warfare; each chapter is followed by an "excursus" in which the logistical issues are analyzed in detail. The text incorporates pictorial and archaeological materials, ensuring a fully rounded treatment of the subject. A chronological table listing dynasties and pharaohs also helps readers to gain an overview.