Most men in ancient Egypt were farmers, tied forever to the land. However, a different path offered a rare chance at wealth, status, and glory. This was the life of an Egyptian soldier. This career was a respected and vital role in the Ancient Egyptian job hierarchy. The army was a professional, state-funded force. Its soldiers did more than just fight. In peacetime, they also managed the state’s massive building projects. They were, in every sense, Egypt’s bronze shield.
Recruitment: Choosing the Soldier’s Life
The state drafted farmers for temporary labor. Joining the army, however, was a voluntary, long-term career. Why would a man choose this dangerous path? The life of an Egyptian soldier offered one of the few ways to move up in society.
A farmer’s son could escape a grueling life in the fields. A second son with no land to inherit could make his own fortune. Military service was a direct path to the pharaoh’s favor. With that favor came the potential for riches and a new life. Many soldiers also came from military families. They simply followed their fathers into service.
