Egyptian Dreams

J-Mak · Scribe Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 127

Hey, I just need a few names of pharaohs who have claimed to single handedly defeated armies.
In either inscriptions, or drawings on tomb walls.

I know Ramessess II had himself depicted crushing an opposing army by himself, anyone got anymore?

I decided to post this on homework help, since I just need a few names or events to throw into an essay im doing.

Thanks.

Styler78 · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:17 pm Post subject:

I would love to help you J-Mak, but i am struggling.

Certainly there are Pharaohs who led Egypt to battle such as Ahmose (ridding of the Hyksos, although he took over from brother Kamose, who in turn may have been taking over from his dad, Seqenenre Tao II,

The battle of the "Sea Peoples" at Medinet habu is another battle that springs to mind.

Only Ramesses II that i can think of for your project. You could talk forever about the Kadesh battle. The full inscriptions are available and a few on this site will have some goo quality information for you, no doubt.

Stuart

Wink

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J-Mak · Scribe Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 127

Yes, I guess I will talk about Ramessess, I just needed a few examples of pharaohs taking full responsibility for battles, I will just include a few examples of Ramessess II.
Thanks.

Toth · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:11 am Post subject:

J-Mak · Scribe Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 127

Thanks, I need to go visit my state library, it's the biggest library in Australia so I'm sure they'd have this book!
Thanks.

Toth · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:51 pm Post subject:

Styler78 · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject:

J-Mak, also see:

http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/extension/may01/Kadesh.pdf

and this book..

http://www.buybooks.me.uk/isbn/0900416033/

Stuart
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Beloved of Hathor, Chief of Thebes, Not the Messiah just a Very Naughty Boy!

http://styler78hatshepsutproject.blogspot.com/

J-Mak · Scribe Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 127

Thanks for the links!

Montu · Citizen Joined: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 61 Location: Ireland

Another guy to look at is Amenhotep III the lad just loved to raise stelas of himself explaining how singlehanded he could out row the entire crew of his flagship, or how he was so skilled with his chariot that he didn't even need a driver he'd just lash the reigns around his chest and and fire away hitting every target in sight. I think you could put it down in part to a bit of an inferiority complex - daddy was basically the biggest badass in well ... ever and Amenhotep didn't want to be overshadowed. In other words Tuthmosis III (daddy) was a great warrior - Amenhotep WANTED to be a great warrior.

Montu · Citizen Joined: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 61 Location: Ireland

oops i mean Amenhotep II not Amenhotep III

Robson · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

I wonder if all these stelae and temple depictions showing the pharaohs individually heading to battles and hunting actually depict real facts, or are they just conventional portrays representing the ruler as Ra himself shattering the darkness represented by beasts and peoples considered as the powers of chaos... Idea

There is a curious absence of representations showing the king in good terms with foreign rulers, and when they have to exhibit something like a peace treaty, the other side is depicted as poor defeated wretches begging for pharaoh´s mercy.

Segereh · Pharaoh Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 2934 Location: Bruges

Ramesses II never really boasted a single-handed victory.
When his forces were outnumbered at Kadesh, according to his Karnak inscriptions he prayed for help from Amun.

Now though I prayed in the distant land,
My voice resounded in Southern On.
I found Amun came when I called to him,
He gave me his hand and I rejoiced.
He called from behind as if near by:
"Forward, I am with you,
I, your father, my hand is with you,
I prevail over a hundred thousand men,
I am lord of victory, lover of valor!"
I found my heart stout, my breast in joy,
All I did succeeded, I was like Mont.
I shot on my right. grasped with my left,
I was before them like Seth in his moment.
I found the mass of chariots in whose midst I was
Scattering before my horses;
Not one of them found his hand to fight,
Their hearts failed in their bodies through fear of me.
Their arms all slackened, they could not shoot,
They had no heart to grasp their spears;
I made them plunge into the water as crocodiles plunge,
They fell on their faces one on the other.
I slaughtered among them at my will,
Not one looked behind him,
Not one turned around,
Whoever fell down did not rise.

His action of a "single-handed" victory is described as the result of his piety towards Amun.
So if the Kadesh story boasts about anyone, it's actually about Amun.
Or as Ramesses had the Hittites recorded to say:

"No man is he who is among us,
It is Seth great-of-strength, Baal in person;
Not deeds of man are these his doings,
They are of one who is unique,
Who fights a hundred thousand without soldiers and chariots,
Come quick, flee before him,
To seek life and breathe air;
For he who attempts to get close to him,
His hands, all his limbs grow limp.
One cannot hold either bow or spears,
When one sees him come racing along!"

Basically: the strength of the King comes from his piety to Amun.
Who in turn helps him out and grants him unhuman strength.
The text above is from Breasted's Ancient Records of Egypt, updated by Ian Bolton.
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