Schoolcraft College

Nano-History
Hittite Chariots vs Egyptian Chariots

Beth Kwiecinski
HIST 134
Dr. Alec Thomson
12 December 2016

Beth Kwiecinski
HIST 134
Dr. Alec Thomson
12 December 2016
Battle in the ancient world was the major driving force for any Empire. When a military
was strong, the Empire was strong, and a good military meant the means to take land, make
changes and rule. What sets and good army apart from a fair or mediocre army lays in the
number of men, strategy, and weaponry. The Hittites army was set apart by their use of iron
weapons, as well as their ranged weapons and mounted troops on chariots.
The chariot was seen as a sign of wealth, which makes sense that both the Hittite and
Egyptian armies would have them. Along with differences found in their fighting styles, as well
as how they used their tools, these two opposing Empires used similar ideas to obtain their
victories. [1] A chariot was a two or four wheeled platform, designed to have a horse at the front,
pulling the warriors through battle. We will be looking at how these two world powers used these
chariots in their own unique ways.
The Hittite military had unique problems to overcome. Because of their location, flat,
straight terraign wasnt common. To overcome these obsticles, the military fought using heavy
chariots, meant for stability and focused speed. These chariots would be designed to fit three
men, who would be riding through battle brandishing stabbing spears meant for close range
combat.
[1] Watts, Tim. "Chariot." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2016,
ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/574905. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.

The heavy design of these chariots was to focus on moving around the hilly areas, and serving a
strong blow to the enemy. [2]
It is important to keep in mind the consistent fighting between the Hittites and the
Egyptians. Fighting thought out the years, the two enemies didnt find peace until they signed a
peace treaty that was sealed with a marriage between the two. This lasted until the Hittite Empire
fell around 1200 BCE. What made both of these enemies unique was their different wealth of
natural resources. The Hittites were extremely good at using Iron for the weapons, which hadnt
been seen before. [3] While the Egyptians had a wealth of land and a location that kept them
from dangers for a considerable amount of time. [4]
Because of Egypts land being flat and easyier to manover, their chariots held two majoy
differences when compaired to the Hittites. Significantly lighter, these chariors moved at high
speeds, and held only two people; a driver and an archer.

[2] Gabriel, Richard A. "Hittite Army." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO,
2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1483887. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.
[3] Davis, Paul K., and Allen Lee Hamilton. "Hittites." World History: Ancient and Medieval
Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/574518. Accessed 18 Dec.
2016.
[4] Davis, Paul K. "Egyptian Army." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO,
2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/574514. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.

The archer would focus on hurling long javelins- lighter and made to be thrown instead of for
stabbing- to fight off their enemies. The driver in turn would control the horse and use his shield
to protect them both while allowing his archer to continue to ward off enemies. [5]
Both armies were significantly strong, and you see many similarities between the two.
But it is perhaps the differences that make them so unique and interesting to learn about.

[5] Brier, Bob, and Hoyt Hobbs. "Egyptian Weapons." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABCCLIO, 2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1732241. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.

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Brier, Bob, and Hoyt Hobbs. "Egyptian Weapons." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABCCLIO, 2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1732241. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.

This article touches on many factors that go into the history of Egyptian Weapons,
including how they were made and used. Brier and Hobbs touches on a 700 year old past of
ancient Egyptian history that shows the power of this Empire in its entirety.
Davis, Paul K., and Allen Lee Hamilton. "Hittites." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras,
ABC-CLIO, 2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/574518. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.
Davis starts you in with a short history of the Hittites people going all the way back to
their origins from 1900 BCE. In detail describing their soon to be longstanding enemy with the
Egyptian lands, Davis also explains the importance of these fights and what the Hittites did to
make themselves stand out and gave them a fighting chance against a very powerful army.
Davis, Paul K. "Egyptian Army." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2016,
ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/574514. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.
Davis strikes again with another interesting article that walks you through the surprising
start of the would-be world power of the Egyptian Army. Touching on the initial takeover that
would spark a revolution and a takeback of the Egyptian land from their conquerors. Included
also is a history of early weapons and how the Egyptians came about to take these weapons as
their own.
Gabriel, Richard A. "Hittite Army." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO,
2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1483887. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.

A very detailed outline of the Hittites Armies. Starting with a short outline of the
whereabouts the Army started as well as what this impressive army consisted of. A breakdown of
the Infantry and a detailed descriptions of the Chariots gives you a good look into what made the
Hittites Army so great.
Watts, Tim. "Chariot." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2016,
ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/574905. Accessed 18 Dec. 2016.
A brief informational article telling of the history of the commonly used and also
commonly changed Chariot.