Fig. 156.—1. Egyptians Fighting, from Paintings of Thebes; 2. Egyptian Soldiers, from Theban Bas-Reliefs.
Fig. 157.—Bronze Hatchets in Wooden Handles, Bound with Thongs. (Heads, 3 and 4½ inches, Hefts, 15½ and 16½ inches.)
Fig. 158.—Pole-axes.
Fig. 159.—Kheten or War-axes.
The action began, at the sound of the trumpet, with an advance of light-infantry, bowmen, slingers, and javelineers. Then came the charge by the ponderous phalanx of ten thousand men, one hundred in front by one hundred deep, and flanked by chariots and cavalry. Thus the close combat was not the disorderly system of duels that prevailed in the barbarous Middle Ages of Europe. In storming fortified places they used the pavoise and testudo, the ram, the scaling-ladder, the bulwark or movable tower, and the portable bridge. They were also skilful military miners.
THE EGYPTIAN SWORD.
The Egyptian phalanx was armed with the large shield, lance, and Sword; the latter was generally called Seft,