Rome: Total War Game Guide

[7.4  Egyptian units]



A.  Egyptian Infantry 

Peasants 
Peasants are reluctant warriors, but numbers are useful in 
all armies. Forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting 
lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have 
little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - 
they would rather be defending their own homes than be 
dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. 
If nothing else, they are useful when there's digging to be 
done! They are, however, experts at reading the land and 
hiding whenever there is cover.

Skirmishers 
Egyptian skirmishers rush forward to pepper an enemy with 
javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-
attack can be organised. It is their task to harass and 
disrupt enemy units as well as screen the main force of the 
army. They are also adept at staging tactical ambushes. 
Skirmishers are equipped with a clutch of javelins, a sword 
and a light shield. They wear no other armour, and rely on 
speed as the best form of protection. This doesn't work 
when facing cavalry! Oddly, many Egyptian skirmishers 
aren't Egyptians at all, but are recruited from among 
foreign communities. When they can be found, Egyptian 
generals favour using Thracians for this role as they are 
particularly bloodthirsty and known to take the heads of 
fallen enemies as trophies. 

Slingers 
Slingers are highly skilled missile troops but are at a 
huge disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat, especially 
against cavalry. They can maintain a sustained and 
concentrated barrage on enemies and then fall back rapidly 
to avoid hand-to-hand combat. Slingers carry a shoulder bag 
with many pieces of lead shot (they can also use stones 
picked up on the battlefield) and several spare slings 
including slings of different length for greater or lesser 
range. Other than a knife and a small shield, they carry no 
other equipment. 

Bowmen 
Bowmen are rightly feared for the casualties they can 
inflict, but they are vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat. 
They are drawn from the peasant classes of all societies, 
as these are the people who need to be skilled hunters in 
order to survive. Learning to use a bow well is something 
that takes a lifetime and constant practice, and putting 
food on the table provides good practice. They are best 
used to weaken enemy formations, or placed in a spot where 
they can retreat and find protection from other troops. 

Pharaoh's Bowmen 
Pharaoh's bowmen are skilled archers, the finest to be 
found in Egyptian armies. They carry the finest bows 
available, and have the abilities - honed from an early age 
- to make the best use of their weaponry, making them a 
true elite. And with their native toughness and hardy 
spirit they are truly impressive warriors, and a fine force 
for any of the Pharaoh's generals to have under his command. 
Unlike many other archers, these men wear good armour, 
giving them protection against counter-fire, but they are 
vulnerable - like any archers - if unsupported when 
attacked by cavalry. 

Nubian Spearmen 
These militia-like soldiers can fight in harsh conditions 
and they are cheap defensive troops for the Pharaoh's 
armies. Armed with a long, thrusting spear and a large 
wooden shield, these men are primarily defensive and can 
hold their own against cavalry. However, they can also be 
formed into phalanxes and sent against other infantry. 
Their lack of training and armour means that they should 
not be used to attack armoured or elite troops. Nubian 
spearmen were originally recruited in the south, but since 
it is not uncommon for a Nubian soldier to be rewarded with 
land for his service, they can be found in every part of 
the Pharaoh's realms. 

Nile Spearmen 
These well trained spearmen are the mainstay of many 
Egyptian armies, thanks to their all-round defensive 
abilities. They wear light padded armour - hardly 
surprising given the incredibly hot climate of home - and 
carry large shields. They do not carry secondary weapons at 
all, and rely entirely on their spears in combat. This 
means that they are best employed to hold a defensive 
position against cavalry, or as a rough phalanx to take on 
other infantry by 'push of pike' and weight of numbers. 
These men are better trained than some other Egyptian 
forces, such as Nubian spearmen, and will hold more often 
as a result. 

Desert Axemen 
These superior soldiers are recruited from among desert 
dwellers, and are equipped with sharp axes and wooden 
shields by the order of the Pharaoh. It is their job to 
stand in line of battle and hack into an enemy formation or 
position. They are very useful against other infantry - 
including armoured infantry - but they are less able to 
defend themselves against cavalry attacks. They are hardy 
folk in the lands at Egypt 's borders and well suited to 
life as soldiers in the Pharaoh's army; they do not tire 
easily and shrink from few enemies. 

Pharaoh's Guards 
The Pharaoh's Guard are the true elite of any Egyptian army, 
armoured spearmen sworn to defend the Twin Crowns to the 
death! They may have ceremonial duties, but these are also 
soldiers for the working day. These are superbly trained 
and disciplined spearmen, capable of standing against 
almost any enemy in almost any circumstances. They are 
trained to form a phalanx making them an effective 
attacking force as well. Recruited from among the higher 
ranks of Egyptian society, they have an interest in seeing 
the state and the Pharaoh's power survive. 

 
B. Egyptian Cavalry



Desert Cavalry 

Desert cavalry are fast moving horsemen armed with axes for 
close combat. They are not heavily armoured, but do have 
shields for protection, giving them good prospects of 
surviving in melee. They are well suited to hunting down 
skirmishers and other infantry, but may suffer undue 
casualties against heavier cavalry forces. These are hardy 
soldiers, and untiring in combat, as might be expected from 
recruits taken from desert dwelling people at the margins 
of Egypt 's lands. 

Nubian Cavalry 
Nubian cavalry are lightly equipped raiders who are perfect 
for flanking attacks on an enemy line. They are recruited 
into the service of the Pharaoh from the upper reaches of 
the Nile . They are superb horsemen, proud and 
independently minded. Nubians do not wear armour, but then 
this is only to be expected among people from such a hot, 
harsh climate, but they carry good war gear otherwise: a 
shield, a spear for the initial charge, and a sword so that 
they can fight effectively in close combat. They can be 
used to mount rapid charges against enemies, but if asked 
to charge spearmen they will suffer excessive casualties. 
They can also be used to pursue fleeing foes and cut down 
isolated enemy units. 

Nile Cavalry 
Nile cavalry are mail-armoured spearmen capable of 
delivering a decisive blow. Although they do not carry 
shields, they are a useful force for any commander thanks 
to their training and motivation. These men are recruited 
from among the elite of Egyptian society. They are given 
land for their service, the amount depending on rank and 
length of service. 

Camel Archers 
These camel-mounted archers are effective skirmishers, 
especially in deserts. These men are good bowmen and 
untiring fighters thanks to their harsh upbringing. They 
can move swiftly, staying away from most infantry and other 
skirmishers. When attacked by cavalry they are at an 
advantage should a melee ensue. The very smell of camels 
can upset horses in battle and a cunning commander can use 
this to his advantage. 

Chariots 
Chariots are fearsome devices, and have scythe blades to 
cut down any infantry foolish enough to stand when charged. 
The armoured crews carry swords to cut down opponents. 
Egyptian armies have a long and distinguished history of 
using chariots in warfare. Their charioteers are also more 
disciplined and controlled than those of other nations. 
These are not subtle troops, and their chief power lies in 
a headlong charge into an enemy formation. Each chariot is 
pulled by powerful horses, and the deserts are an ideal 
place for them to be used to full effect. 

Chariot Archers 
Chariot archers are highly skilled - they can hit targets 
while their chariots are moving at high speed. The scythes 
attached to each chariot axle make them even more deadly. 
They have the speed of cavalry and the staying power of 
infantry, and this makes them a powerful weapon for any 
commander; the Egyptians have also had many centuries of 
experience in using chariots in warfare, particularly on 
desert battlefields. Each chariot is under the control of a 
driver, leaving the archers to concentrate on their killing 
work; all wear high quality armour. 

General's Bodyguard 
This general has a bodyguard of chariot archers to 
accompany him onto the field. Armed with bows, these men 
are able to deliver powerful attacks in any circumstances. 
Each chariot is pulled by powerful horses, and the deserts 
are an ideal place for them to be used to full effect. The 
general can inspire his men by his presence and bring a 
powerful force quickly to bear on a critical part of the 
battlefield. Egyptian armies have a long and distinguished 
history of using chariots in warfare and their charioteers 
are more disciplined and easily controlled than those of 
other peoples. 


C. Egyptian Siege 

Onagers 

The onager is a catapult jokingly named for the tremendous 
kick it has when fired at the enemy (an "onager" is a wild 
ass). This war machine is powered by a twisted spring of 
animal sinew ropes, the most elastic substance available. 
The throwing arm is held in tension by the sinews. When 
pulled back and held by a catch it can fling a boulder with 
considerable speed and range. This version can be used for 
reducing stone fortifications, but it can also be used on 
the battlefield for destroying enemy artillery and 
harassing troops (although admittedly by killing some of 
them outright). The onager can also be used to launch 
incendiary missiles such as firepots, making it a versatile 
piece of artillery to any commander. 

Heavy Onagers 

The heavy onager is an enormous catapult built using the 
same basic design as its sibling and capable of smashing 
down stone fortifications. It is powered by a twisted 
bundle of animal sinew ropes, and is slow to wind back and 
reload. Its missiles are devastating, and it can also fire 
incendiary firepots. Range is no more than the smaller 
onager and this makes the heavy onager susceptible to 
counter fire. Often, it is best employed alongside smaller 
artillery to deal with enemy fire.