The purpose of this article is to use the Clash of Empires Biblical Conquest Game rules to create a believable chronology for the reign of a fictional Pharaoh named Tefen-Ra. Clash of Empires uses an economic system which combines troop points per turn (the result of taxation, economic resources and tribute) with trading cards, which represents the funds raised mainly from trade, but also other sources such as the spoils of war. They also control random events. Troop points from agricultural output and any tribute is received at the beginning of each monthly turn but is not shown in the chronology. Instead, it is described as agricultural products such as grain which goes to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts which go to the treasury. Also not shown is army or navy type, composition, or cost. The Clash Battle System is used but not elaborated on although it is dealt with at some length in the articles Tefen-Ra versus the Sea Peoples, the Trojan War and the Battle of Marathon. The chronology starts in the second year of the reign of the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra who has a reasonable amount of troop points in his treasury. He promises a new era of foreign conquest and prosperity for Egypt. This timeline has been created using the solo player format. Also being used is the random non-player domain upgrade and alliance chart for solo games.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 1.
The year starts with the annual roll to determine the level of the Nile Inundation (flooding). A roll is made which indicates that the Inundation in Egypt is normal for this year. Egypt’s agricultural prosperity depends on this annual Inundation of the Nile. A low Nile will result in famine and a reduction to troop points. Also, the manifest inability of a ruler to control the forces of nature and thus the fertility of the land as in the inability of Pharaoh to control the Nile will result in a loss of Prestige which would diminish his standing on the Biblical world stage.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. These are kept to try and collect one of a number of special sets which increase the value of the cards cashed in. There is no significant event for this turn so Pharaoh contents himself with the hunting of wild deer and lions in the desert. Pharaoh also decides to increase the size of his army by recruiting two new army units to go towards forming a new army division named after Montu the Theban god of war. Elsewhere in the Biblical world the Levant develops War Galleys. Apart from this the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 2.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. These are kept to try and collect a special set. There is no significant event this turn so Pharaoh contents himself with visiting the royal women in the ‘harim-palace’. This is not to be confused with a harem for it was more an administrative institution connected with the royal women and probably based in the palace. Pharaoh also raises two more army units thus completing the Montu division which now stands ready to carry out the will of the Pharaoh with its fellow divisions Amun, Ptah and Re. Elsewhere in the Biblical world nothing of note happens and the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 3.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. A royal trading mission returns with timber from the Levant. This means that a low value special set has been collected and cashed in. There is no significant event this turn so Pharaoh contents himself with the performance of rituals in the presentation of offerings to the various deities including to the Falcon-headed god of war Montu at his temple in Karnak in Upper Egypt. Pharaoh also raises 2 new navy units in response to the seaborne threat from the Levant. Elsewhere in the Biblical world an alliance is made between Assyria of Mesopotamia and Elam. Apart from this the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 4.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. These are kept to try and collect a special set. There is no significant event this turn. Instead, Pharaoh, in grief, plays a crucial role in the funerary rituals for a deceased beloved daughter whose piety to the gods and mumification assures the enjoyment of an afterlife. Elsewhere in the Biblical World the Levant develops Ship Killing Tactics. Apart from this the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 5.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. There is low level trade between dignitaries. This means that some trade cards have been cashed in for their face value. There is no significant event so Pharaoh contents himself with hunting hippopotami in the marshes. He also raises an army unit for another new division this time named after Seth the god of chaos and confusion. Pharaoh also moves the Montu division to Lower Egypt to join the two units of Ptah division already based there. Elsewhere in the Biblical world the King of Mycenae in the Aegean develops a more professional army. Apart from this the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 6.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. A royal trading expedition returns from across the Mediterranean with agricultural products and luxury items from Crete. This means that a medium value special set has been collected and cashed in. There is no significant event so Pharaoh contents himself with receiving foreign visitors in the Great Palace and visiting his royal ‘rest-house’ for chariot exercises. He also raises 3 army units to complete the Seth division which he then moves to Lower Egypt. There is now 10 units in this subordinate territory. Elsewhere in the Biblical world Cyprus develops the use of cavalry. Apart from this the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 7.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. At this point there is a significant event. Ambassadors arrive from Mycenae (randomly selected) to negotiate a marriage treaty of alliance, which incorporates a mutual defence pact. Pharaoh agrees to the alliance and the royal princess with her entourage of maidservants is received into the harim. This alliance will only be activated if either party is attacked. Elsewhere in the Biblical world nothing of note happens and the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 8.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. There is low level trade between dignitaries. There is no significant event this turn so Pharaoh spends his time perfecting his archery and in chariot exercises. Then after making offerings to the gods Pharaoh and his royal bodyguard move to Lower Egypt to join his army there. Elsewhere in the Biblical world nothing of note happens and the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 9.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. These are kept to try and collect a special set. At this point the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra dons his battle armour and in his chariot leads his army, which comprises the Montu and Seth divisions, out of Lower Egypt and invades the Levantine territory of Canaan. A Levantine army of 10 units formed by a number of petty Canaanite princes with reinforcements from Syria prepare to defend Canaan. However, the speed of the Egyptian advance denies the Canaanites the opportunity of using their terrain to maximize their chances of tactical success on the battlefield. Having won the Initiative, the Egyptians go on to make their Battle Roll and despite the deadly shots of the elite Canaanite chariot mounted archers the Levantine army is outscored and 75% of its number is killed or captured. The remaining 2 units seek refuge in their city stronghold, which is immediately stormed by the Egyptians. Despite a valiant defence the Canaanites are defeated and their stronghold captured. During this campaign the Egyptians lost 3 units. The Pharaoh Tefen-Ra leaves 2 units as a garrison in the Canaanite city. Elsewhere in the Biblical world an alliance is made between Anatolia and the Levant possibly because of the Egyptian attack.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 10.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. A special set is cashed in which coincides with the return of Pharaoh with much war booty and captives to be presented to the great god Amun and his consort the goddess Mut. Also, during this turn, Pharaoh raises two army units to reconstitute the Montu and Seth divisions. Elsewhere in the Biblical world nothing of note happens and the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 11.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. These are kept to try and collect a special set. There is no significant event this turn so Pharaoh contents himself with the embellishment of the temple at Karnak with reliefs of his great victory over the Canaanites. These show Tefen-Ra in triumphal pose in his chariot smiting the Canaanites with his sword and trampling upon his enemies. Pharaoh also completes the reconstitution of his army by raising another army unit. Elsewhere in the Biblical world a hero named Keret comes to the fore in the Levant and by his martial prowess distinguishes himself in battle against the Sea Peoples. Apart from this the turn ends peacefully.
Year 2 Monthly Turn 12.
After receiving agricultural products such as grain to the royal storehouses and diplomatic gifts to the treasury a number of trade cards are selected. A royal trading mission returns with luxury goods from the distant Kingdom of Punt. These items include gold, aromatic resins, African blackwood, ebony, ivory, slaves and wild animals, including monkeys and the sacred cynocephalus baboons. This means that a high value special set of trade cards has been cashed in. Also, during this turn there is a significant event. A new resource such as a precious metal is found and this results in a windfall of troop points received in the treasury. Pharaoh uses some of this new wealth to carry out an economic upgrade to improve techniques for food production and mineral extraction i.e., farming and mining. Tefen-Ra also builds a new army division named after the jackal headed god Anubis. Elsewhere in the Biblical world the Assyrians of Mesopotamia greatly increase the size of their army. Apart from this the turn ends peacefully.
And so, the chronology would go on to Year 3 Turn 1 and again the Nile Inundation would have to be rolled for.
Using the Clash of Empires: The Biblical Conquest Game rules this timeline can be used as a template to create a chronology for any Biblical ruler.
Sources
Boulter, M. 2009/2023: Clash of Empires: The Biblical Conquest Game. Silurian Wargames Ltd.
Healy, M. 1992: New Kingdom Egypt. Osprey Publishing Ltd.
Mellersh, H.E.L. 1995: Chronology of the Ancient World, 10,000 BC – AD 799. Helicon Publishing Ltd.
Shaw, I. and Nicholson, P. 1995: British Museum Dictionary of Ancient Egypt. British Museum Press.
Various Authors: 1959, 1968 and 1989: New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited.
Article Front Picture
Ramesses atop chariot, at the battle of Kadesh. (Relief inside his Abu Simbel temple). After Alamy. (IY01725478)