Clash of Empires: The Biblical Conquest Game.The Pharaoh Tefen-Ra versus the Assyrians

In this article, the intention of which is to demonstrate the Clash Battle System procedure, we pick up where we left off in the chronology of the fictional Pharaoh Tefen-Ra. It is now the fourth regnal year of his reign and Pharaoh receives disturbing reports from the Levant. An Assyrian army led by King Adad-Ninurta II has captured the northern Syrian stronghold of Ugarit. This move took advantage of a crisis in Anatolia whereby the Hittites, who are allied to the Levant, were distracted by a large-scale Mycenaean attack upon Arzawa. In response to this news the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra begins to marshal his forces in preparation for a possible confrontation with the powerful Mesopotamian domain.

In Turn 9 a large Assyrian army made up of the Shamash and Nergal corps and comprising 20 units moved south into the Levantine Capital Territory and after devastating the hinterland laid siege to the stronghold of Hazor. In fear the Levantine King Moloch and his family took shelter in the temple of the supreme-deity El. There they implored the gods for help and tried to propitiate them with countless child-sacrifices. During one of these rituals the King’s robes accidentally caught fire and Moloch and his entire family were burned alive. Thereafter, the Levantine hero Keret took command. He was a famous Maryannu charioteer and had already distinguished himself by his valour in many battles. A man of great stature Keret was believed to be the offspring of a liaison between the god Baal Hadad and a mortal woman. After strengthening Hazor’s defences Keret threw back an attempt by the Assyrians to storm the city.

In the meantime, Tefen-Ra concerned with the prospect of having the aggressive and empire building Assyrians on the Egyptian border decided to take action and in Turn 10 the Pharaoh led out his army which consisted of the Montu, Seth and Anubis divisions (15 units). By forced march the Egyptians took the Assyrians by surprise and came upon the enemy before they could bring up reinforcements. Although startled by the Egyptian intervention the Assyrian King Adad-Ninurta was quick to respond and the two armies clashed in a major battle at Magdalon.

Biblical Armies

Egyptian

The Egyptians had a standing army in which the regular infantry played the most important role. These can be divided into two basic types: megau (shooters) and nakhtu-aa (hand to hand fighters literally “strong arm boys”). In battle these were supported by a well-armoured chariot force and a variety of auxiliary skirmishers.

Canaanite and Syrian

In contrast to the Egyptian model, the feudal like armies of the Canaanite and Syrian states relied mainly upon a force of high-quality chariot nobility or maryannu. In battle these were supported by the ordinary infantry, who were conscripted from the peasantry (hupshu) and consisted of lightly equipped spearmen and archers. In addition, the Canaanite and Syrian rulers often supplemented their forces with mercenary Sea Peoples and desert nomads. A similar military system was used by the Mitanni who appear to have created the maryannu.

Assyrian and Babylonian

The Assyrian and Babylonian armies consisted of a body of professional chariotry, provided by a warrior aristocracy and supported in battle by lightly equipped peasant conscripts (hupshu) and well- armed regular infantry (asharittu). Infantry was made up of both spearmen and archers. The Assyrians also excelled at siege warfare.

Army Statistics

Tefen-Ra’s Egyptian Army

Standing Army Type with a Combat Rating (CR) of ❸ which based on the number of army units i.e., 15 converts to a +12 Fighting Bonus (FB). Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only). Special Ability: Integral Archers which gives the Egyptians a +2 modifier which is added to the Battle Dice score. Double modifier if FB greater than that of the opponent. Also +1 Initiative for Forced March which is an attribute of a Standing Army. Finally, the Egyptians get a 1D6 Battle Advantage Die for Supreme War Leader (Pharaoh) in command. There is no numerical advantage.

Assyrian Army

Part-Standing Army Type with a Combat Rating (CR) of ❷ which based on the number of army units i.e., 15 converts to a +7 Fighting Bonus (FB). Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only). Special Ability: Frightfulness. Roll 4-6 on 1D6 to avoid rebellion. Also, this Intimidation can reduce an opponent’s Battle Roll by 1D3 on an Initiative win. The Assyrian army also get a 1D3 Battle Advantage Die for Super Heavy Chariots and a 1D6 Advantage Die for Supreme War Leader (Assyrian King) in command. There is no numerical advantage.

Clash Battle System

After rolling for Initiative the Battle Roll for each army consists of the following procedure:

• Roll Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only)

• Plus, Combat Rating (CR) to Fighting Bonus (FB) (conversion dependent upon number of units).

• Plus, Battle Bonus calculation determined by Army Type and FB.

• Plus, Advantage Dice (representing a numerical, tactical or other special advantage)

Highest score wins and the difference between the two Battle Rolls determines the number of casualties.

Combat Rating to Fighting Bonus Conversion and Casualty Tables not shown.

Biblical Battle Log

Domain = Nilotic Region (Egypt) 

Battle = Magdalon                    Date: Year 4 Turn 10

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
1D6 +1 3+1 = 4	2D6 (+2/+4) Integral Archers  5 and 1 (Highest die only) 5+4 = 9	❸ x 15 = +12 FB	Odds Dice 2D6  4+1 = 5	Supreme Leader in Command 1D6 Tactical Advantage 1D6 4+2 = 6	9 + 12 + 5 +6 = 32

Domain = Mesopotamia (Assyria) 

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
1D6 = 2	2D6  (1D3) Intimidation 6 and 5 (Highest die Only)  = 6	❷ x 15 = +7 FB	No odds or evens 1D3 = 3	Supreme Leader in Command 1D6 Super Heavy Chariots 1D3 5+2 =7	6 + 7 +3 + 7 = 23

Battle Bonus Calculation Table

FB	Warband	Feudal	Part-Standing	Standing
1-4	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)
5-8	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)
9-12	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)
13-16	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)
17-20	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)
21-24	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)
25+	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)	3D6(4D6)

(#D#) = Enhanced Battle Bonus on odds or evens Battle Dice.

The Battle of Magdalon

Under the banner of the falcon-god of war Montu and despite the daunting spectacle of the formidable Assyrian host in dazzling array the white-clad Egyptian army moved forward confidently. Steadfast in their resolve the soldiers knew that the warlike spirit of their pharaoh was strong and that their own battle prowess had been tempered by many victories. In an instant, the sky was filled with arrows and as was their convention, the Assyrian host swept forward. At the forefront of this attack were the unstoppable heavy chariots, which carried four men and were pulled by four horses. They crashed violently into the Egyptian line and soldiers were cut down like stalks of grain, but with Montu on their side the Egyptians could not lose. Quick-witted Pharaoh rallied his shaken forces and bolstered the line to resist the momentum of the onslaught. Then accompanied by his elite charioteers and wearing the blue War Crown, Tefen-Ra tirelessly fired arrows from his charging chariot. As the Egyptian vehicles closed with the enemy, under the hand of Montu, Pharaoh smote all before him and like a gore-stained tiger emerged victorious over his kill. Thrown into confusion the Assyrian army in one voice let out a cry of despair and then took to flight.

Note: - Thus the Egyptian army refuses to be intimidated by the Assyrian host and after winning Initiative they pulverise the enemy with a Battle Roll differential of 9.

At this point Keret and his Maryannu charioteers sallied forth from Hazor and completed the destruction of the Assyrian army. Protected by his personal bodyguard of chariots the Assyrian King Adad-Ninurta fled to the north which was still under Assyrian control.

Figure 2 Concerned with the growing Assyrian menace the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra mobilized his forces and with three army divisions i.e., Montu, Seth and Anubis rapidly moved into the Levant. There the Egyptians clashed with the Assyrian army of Adad-Ninurta II at the Battle of Magdalon (Year 4 Turn 10). The Assyrians were decisively defeated and the city of Hazor relieved. Map from the Clash of Empires: The Biblical Conquest Game. Number of units denoted by coloured plastic counters.

The Epic of Tefen Ra

During recent excavation in the Precinct of Montu in the great Temple Complex at Karnak broken remains were found of a great stele or stone column which bore the cartouche of an unknown pharaoh. Inscribed upon this memorial stone was the name of the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra together with his titles and prayers to the gods to ensure his remembrance and sustenance in the afterlife. Also commemorated were his victories and an extract of the epic of Tefen-Ra a translation of which follows below: -

Amidst the debris of war, the battle-stained leaders Tefen-Ra and Keret met in their chariots and clasped hands. From this point on they became firm friends and were like brothers. Rejoicing in each other’s company they would ride their chariots deep into the desert hunting for panther and lion. On one such chase Pharaoh was attacked by a lion and was in great danger when Keret rushed to his assistance. In a display of prodigious strength, the Levantine hero seized the beast and tore open its jaws before throwing the dead lion to the ground. As a reward for this selfless act of bravery Pharaoh recognized Keret’s rulership of Hazor and its surrounding lands.

At his capital in Nineveh, on hearing of these deeds, the Assyrian King Adad-Ninurta, still irritated by his defeat, smouldered with rage and meditated upon his revenge. He sent to Hazor the skilled seductress and courtesan Tiamat who, during a ceremony, was introduced to the new Levantine King in his palace. Struck by her beauty and flattered by her words of praise Keret was instantly enslaved. As he lay with her, Tiamat, at the behest of her master the Assyrian King, carried out her iniquitous task. She administered to Keret the deadly poison of a serpent which was concealed in a cup of wine. Thus, stricken by illness the King for twelve days struggled against the poison and then on the thirteenth day expired in the arms of his friend Tefen-Ra. Pharaoh bewailed the loss of Keret and when the full truth of his murder was exposed Tefen-Ra vowed revenge against the Assyrian King.

At this point of high drama, the chronology of the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra closes. The search for more fragments of the much-damaged inscription continues.

Sources

Boulter, M L. 2009/2025: Clash of Empires: The Biblical Conquest Game. A Silurian War Games Ltd publication.

Clayton, A P. 1994: Chronicles of the Pharaohs. Thames and Hudson 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.

Stillman, N.R. and Tallis, N.C. 1984: Armies of the Ancient Near East 3000BC to 539BC. A Wargames Research Group Publication.

Various Authors: 1959, 1968 and 1989: New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited.

Article Front Picture

History and Art Collection. Detail showing an Assyrian siege.  After Alamy. (IY05916952).