The profession of arms was in great repute among the Egyptians. After the
sacerdotal families, the most illustrious, as with us, were those devoted
to a military life. They were not only distinguished by honours, but by
ample liberalities. Every soldier was allowed twelve Arouræ, that is, a
piece of arable land very near answering to half a French acre,(364)
exempt from all tax or tribute. Besides this privilege, each soldier
received a daily allowance of five pounds of bread, two of flesh, and a
quart of wine.(365) This allowance was sufficient to support part of their
family. Such an indulgence made them more affectionate to the person of
their prince, and the interests of their country, and more resolute in
their defence of both; and as Diodorus observes,(366) it was thought
inconsistent with good policy, and even common sense, to commit the
defence of a country to men who had no interest in its preservation.
Four hundred thousand soldiers were kept in continual pay;(367) all
natives of Egypt, and trained up in the exactest discipline. They were
inured to the fatigues of war, by a severe and rigorous education. There
is an art of forming the body as well as the mind. This art, lost by our
sloth, was well known to the ancients, and especially to the Egyptians.
Foot, horse, and chariot races, were performed in Egypt with wonderful
agility, and the world could not show better horsemen than the Egyptians.
The Scripture in several places speaks advantageously of their
cavalry.(368)
Military laws were easily preserved in Egypt, because sons received them
from their fathers; the profession of war, as all others, being
transmitted from father to son. Those who fled in battle, or discovered
any signs of cowardice, were only distinguished by some particular mark of
ignominy; it being thought more advisable to restrain them by motives of
honour, than by the terrors of punishment.(369)
But notwithstanding this, I will not pretend to say, that the Egyptians
were a warlike people. It is of little advantage to have regular and
well-paid troops; to have armies exercised in peace, and employed only in
mock fights; it is war alone, and real combats, which form the soldier.
Egypt loved peace, because it loved justice, and maintained soldiers only
for its security. Its inhabitants, content with a country which abounded
in all things, had no ambitious dreams of conquest. The Egyptians extended
their reputation in a very different manner, by sending colonies into all
parts of the world, and with them laws and politeness. They triumphed by
the wisdom of their counsels, and the superiority of their knowledge; and
this empire of the mind appeared more noble and glorious to them, than
that which is achieved by arms and conquest. But, nevertheless, Egypt has
given birth to illustrious conquerors, as will be observed hereafter, when
we come to treat of its kings.