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of providing for a chariotry division meant that even at the height of the Egyptian empire, the ratio of chariots to infantrymen was only 1:100. As Brier and Hobbs write, "When an army marched out with its chariot corps, it displayed the kind of significant military investment only a superpower of the time could afford". Thus, it is doubtful that the relatively impoverished Theban dynasty that revolted against the Hyksos found the chariot very useful. In any case, the terrain of the Nile Valley all but eliminated the possibility of its use.

Nevertheless, this did not rule out the utility of the chariot in future New Kingdom campaigns. When combined with the composite bow, an innovation introduced by the Hyksos, the chariot could provide an effective means for archers to cover greater distance and focus upon urgent locations on the battlefield. The composite bow was different from the regular bow in that it was made from a variety of flexible woods, with the result that arrows fired using such a bow were able to pierce simple armour. Other items introduced by the Hyksos were the scimitar sword and full body armour. These were used to lessen vulnerabilities that had been exposed by the Hyksos.

One explanation for the comparative backwardness of the Egyptians in relation to weaponry has to do with a lack of historical experience with incessant warfare. As Spalinger notes: "Unlike the situation to the northeast in Asia where city-states vied for control over small patches of land, Egypt was at peace. Therefore, the nature of warfare in Egypt tended to be conservative, and the demand for new technology limited. The virtual monopoly of the Nile waterway, a perfect conduit for trade and political control, effected a stasis in Egypt with respect to the art of war."

We can see that the complacency of the Egyptians in adopting new weaponry was ameliorated to some extent by the reign of the Hyksos. With the arrival of the "vile" Asiatics came different ideas, and ultimately this would prove invaluable in strengthening Egypt in future campaigns. The chariotry, for instance, formed a key division of the New Kingdom military ever after, with nobles now preferring it over the royal navy. Admittedly, the chariot was partly for purposes of royal propaganda, but it also served a functional tactical role.

The Garrison State

"It is readily agreed that the aggressive policy of royal imperialism fostered by a strong nationalistic feeling owing to the wars against the Hyksos

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