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

The following scenario is an extract from the chronology of the fictional Pharaoh Tefen-Ra.

In Turn 9 of his 2nd Regnal Year the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra dons his battle armour and, in his chariot, leads his army, which comprises the 8 units of the Mont and Seth divisions, out of Lower Egypt and invades the Levantine territory of Canaan. A Levantine army of 10 units formed by a coalition of petty Canaanite princes with reinforcements from Syria prepare to defend Canaan. The battle takes place on the plain before the walled city of Taanach.

As written and celebrated on the walls of the Precinct of Montu in the great Temple Complex at Karnak.

This was Pharaoh’s (Tefen-Ra’s) first great battle and for it “his father Amun made strong his arms”. With great fanfare the Egyptian host resplendent in white garb and the accoutrements of war advanced towards the enemy who were vast in number. In robes of many hues the bearded Canaanite charioteers stood upright in their vehicles. Yet their darting eyes betrayed their fear. Then Mighty Pharaoh with abundant valour like Montu Lord of War smote the enemy and laid them low. Thereafter, in panic those that still lived were despatched in headlong flight.

Clash Battle System

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

• Roll Battle Dice (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 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.

Using the Clash of Empires rules the battle strength and capabilities of the belligerents can be shown as follows:-

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., 8 converts to a +6 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.

Levantine Coalition Army

Feudal Army Type with a Combat Rating (CR) of ❶ which based on the number of army units i.e., 10 converts to a +3 Fighting Bonus (FB). Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only). Special Ability Deadly Shots which give the Levantine army a +1 modifier which is added to the Battle Dice score. Double modifier if FB greater than that of the opponent. Also, they get +1 Initiative for advantageous terrain (Homeland Defence). The Levantine army outnumbers the Egyptian army so gets a 1D6 numerical advantage die.

Biblical Battle Log

New Kingdom Egyptian Army 

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Advantage Dice	Total Score
1D6 +1 5+1 = 6	Standing Army 2D6 (+2/+4) Integral Archers 4 and 2 4+4 = 8	❸x 8 = +6 FB	Evens Battle Dice 2D6 3+2 = 5	Supreme Leader in Command 1D6 Tactical Advantage 1D6 2+4 = 6	8+6+5+6 = 25

 Levantine Army   

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Advantage Dice	Total Score
1D6 +1 4+1 = 5	Feudal 2D6 (+1/+2) Deadly Shots 5 and 2 5+1 = 6	❶x 10 = +3 FB	No odds or evens 1D3 = 3	Opponent Outnumbered 1D6 = 4	6+3+3+4 = 16

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.

Note: - 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 and effectively negated their opponent’s numerical advantage, 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 lose 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.

The Battle of Taanach

Figure 1. In the Battle of Taanach the Pharaoh Tefen-Ra defeats a coalition of Canaanite and Syrian princes. The Egyptian onslaught swept away the Levantine army that fled into Taanach which was subsequently stormed and fell. Map from the Clash of Empires: The Biblical Conquest Game. Number of units denoted by coloured plastic counters.

Sources

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

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

Robert Harding Productions. Detail showing the destruction of Asians painted on the box of stuccoed wood, from the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun discovered in the Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt, North Africa, Africa. After Alamy. (IY05907817).