Early Saite Pharaohs possibly employed Greek mercenaries, but there is no validated
confirmation1 of this. Moreover, in the 26th dynasty, Egypt entered a period of unquestionable
artistic brilliance and prosperity and became a powerful state. The primary resource for this
period is Herodotus, Book Two. There is no evidence that a link between Egypt and Greece
existed, but it is a possibility which might go back to the “Mycenaean period”2or even the
“third millennium BC”3. If there was a link it broke down and became non-existent or even
became hostile4 in the “Dark Ages”5. Apart from those early contacts, the first time we hear of
Greeks, especially as mercenaries in Egypt, is under Psammetichos I, when “Greeks had
access to the country”6. Traders followed the mercenaries and commerce between the Greek
and Egyptian worlds which prospered once again. Before the Peloponnesian War, the Greek
cities had no significant skill in extended7 campaigns or distant expeditions. Their fighting
consisted of mainly small struggles on a medium to small scale. In any battle citizens might
be called in to fight according to their standing in their city as cavalry, infantry or skirmishers.
So, nearly everybody was familiar with warfare but only some of those who chose to develop
into experts became mercenaries. Generally, these mercenary activities were accepted as
sources “of profits and were practised for that reason”8. These soldiers barely existed aside
from in foreign armies. In the Greek tradition, the Carians were seen as the first9 mercenaries,
“who originated wearing crests on their helmets and devices on their shields, and who first
made grips for their shields”10. [...]
1 Sullivan, p. 177.
2 Chamoux, p. 87, Sullivan, p. 185 and MacGillivray, p. 81 ff.
3 Cartledge, p. 48.
4 Sullivan, p. 185.
5 Chamoux, p. 87.
6 Chamoux, p. 87.
7 Sage, p. 19 f.
8 Sage, p. xi.
9 Griffith, p. 236.
10 Hdt., I.171.
Table of Contents
1. Essay for Naukratis
2. Bibliography
2.1 Primary Sources
2.2 Secondary Sources
3. Websites
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This academic essay investigates the deployment and strategic integration of Greek mercenaries by the Pharaohs of the Saite Period (26th Dynasty). It examines the available historical and archaeological evidence to understand how these foreign soldiers influenced Egyptian military capabilities, internal political stability, and international trade relations during a transformative era of Egyptian history.
- The role and professional evolution of Greek mercenaries and hoplites in foreign service.
- Archaeological evidence of mercenary settlements and military infrastructure in the Nile Delta.
- The impact of Greek military technology and tactics on Egyptian defense and naval power.
- Political and social dynamics between the Saite Pharaohs, native Egyptian factions, and Greek settlers.
Excerpt from the Book
Early Saite Pharaohs possibly employed Greek mercenaries
Early Saite Pharaohs possibly employed Greek mercenaries, but there is no validated confirmation of this. Moreover, in the 26th dynasty, Egypt entered a period of unquestionable artistic brilliance and prosperity and became a powerful state. The primary resource for this period is Herodotus, Book Two. There is no evidence that a link between Egypt and Greece existed, but it is a possibility which might go back to the “Mycenaean period” or even the “third millennium BC”. If there was a link it broke down and became non-existent or even became hostile in the “Dark Ages”. Apart from those early contacts, the first time we hear of Greeks, especially as mercenaries in Egypt, is under Psammetichos I, when “Greeks had access to the country”. Traders followed the mercenaries and commerce between the Greek and Egyptian worlds which prospered once again. Before the Peloponnesian War, the Greek cities had no significant skill in extended campaigns or distant expeditions. Their fighting consisted of mainly small struggles on a medium to small scale. In any battle citizens might be called in to fight according to their standing in their city as cavalry, infantry or skirmishers. So, nearly everybody was familiar with warfare but only some of those who chose to develop into experts became mercenaries. Generally, these mercenary activities were accepted as sources “of profits and were practised for that reason”. These soldiers barely existed aside from in foreign armies. In the Greek tradition, the Carians were seen as the first mercenaries, “who originated wearing crests on their helmets and devices on their shields, and who first made grips for their shields”.
Summary of Chapters
Essay for Naukratis: This section details the historical arrival and integration of Greek mercenaries, their military role as hoplites, and their lasting influence on Egyptian political and economic structures through the end of the Persian conquest.
Bibliography: This section provides a comprehensive list of primary historical accounts and contemporary secondary research utilized to analyze the interaction between Egypt and the Greek world.
Websites: This section offers a curated list of digital resources and archaeological project portals that support the historical claims made within the research paper.
Keywords
Saite Period, Greek mercenaries, Psammetichos I, Amasis, hoplites, Naukratis, Herodotus, 26th Dynasty, military history, Pelusium, archaic Greece, ancient Egypt, Mediterranean trade, cultural exchange, archaeology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the history and strategic deployment of Greek mercenaries by the Pharaohs of the 26th Dynasty in Egypt, focusing on their role in military defense and societal transformation.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The text covers military history, the development of the phalanx and hoplite armor, archaeological findings in the Nile Delta, and the economic impact of Greek-Egyptian trade.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how Greek mercenaries were used by Saite rulers, what evidence supports their presence, and how their arrival affected the Egyptian state.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The author uses historical analysis of ancient sources, primarily Herodotus, supplemented by archaeological data such as ceramic finds and military architecture.
What is examined in the main body?
The body analyzes the transition of Greek soldiers into an elite corps, the establishment of garrisoned trade posts like Naukratis, and the civil unrest between native Egyptian forces and foreign mercenaries.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Saite Period, Greek mercenaries, hoplites, Naukratis, 26th Dynasty, and Egyptian-Greek political relations.
How reliable are the accounts provided by Herodotus in this context?
The author notes that while Herodotus is the primary source, he must be read with caution as he is not always historically accurate, requiring corroboration with archaeological findings.
What role did the Chigi vase play in the study of military tactics?
The Chigi vase serves as critical artistic evidence illustrating the phalanx formation of hoplites, which highlights the style of fighting adopted by those operating in Egypt.
- Quote paper
- Michael Gärtner (Author), 2003, How did the Pharaohs of the Saite Period deploy and use Greek mercenaries? What evidence is available?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/13984
