taichara
nonexistent one
While we're talking about terrain ...
If the proposed country is an Egypt analogue, and not styled after Egypt, the issue of suitably flat lands for chariot use would be somewhat less of a concern, I think ... because Egypt (and it's neighbours) are admirably suited for chariot-use.
Might limit outside expansion a wee; then again, that was a sweet little empire the Tuthmosides built for themselves ....
(Don't dicount the power of a self-bow, either. There are the remains of a few of Montuhotep I's soldiers -- at the Metropolitan Museum of Art? -- who had been peppered with arrows shot from self bows. The bloody things went right through the poor souls. Nyargh.)
A cavalcade of thouands of chariots advancing in a wave -- and then a hum of as many or more arrows heading your way amidst all the noise and dust of the unrushing vehicles -- if I were a (foriegn?) opponent, I would sure as hell turn and run.
Something else to consider. Aside from bows (chariotry) and spears (infantry), other weapons beloved of Egyptians were the axe and the mace.
Specifically, axes with deep lunate heads, or long slender heads set along a shaft. Almost like a bladed staff, in some ways. Sequenenre T'ao II met his end via axeblows (granted, they seem to be of a related Hyksos design), and even now the sight is chilling.
Maces bore great pear-shaped heads; or disc-shaped ones, wonderfully designed for snapping bone. Originally maceheads were of stone, but iron or steel heads would be just as devastating not moreso.
Just a few thoughts; more if something drifts through my mind ...
Tai
If the proposed country is an Egypt analogue, and not styled after Egypt, the issue of suitably flat lands for chariot use would be somewhat less of a concern, I think ... because Egypt (and it's neighbours) are admirably suited for chariot-use.
Might limit outside expansion a wee; then again, that was a sweet little empire the Tuthmosides built for themselves ....
(Don't dicount the power of a self-bow, either. There are the remains of a few of Montuhotep I's soldiers -- at the Metropolitan Museum of Art? -- who had been peppered with arrows shot from self bows. The bloody things went right through the poor souls. Nyargh.)
A cavalcade of thouands of chariots advancing in a wave -- and then a hum of as many or more arrows heading your way amidst all the noise and dust of the unrushing vehicles -- if I were a (foriegn?) opponent, I would sure as hell turn and run.
Something else to consider. Aside from bows (chariotry) and spears (infantry), other weapons beloved of Egyptians were the axe and the mace.
Specifically, axes with deep lunate heads, or long slender heads set along a shaft. Almost like a bladed staff, in some ways. Sequenenre T'ao II met his end via axeblows (granted, they seem to be of a related Hyksos design), and even now the sight is chilling.
Maces bore great pear-shaped heads; or disc-shaped ones, wonderfully designed for snapping bone. Originally maceheads were of stone, but iron or steel heads would be just as devastating not moreso.
Just a few thoughts; more if something drifts through my mind ...
Tai
