This series examines the role of the foot soldier in the armies of history. Often forgotten and unappreciated, the foot soldier nevertheless provides the manpower necessary for military operations. Foot Soldiers takes a look at the life and lifestyles of the men who made their livelihood by dodging death. From the ancient Egyptian soldier to the soldier of the twenty-first century, the foot soldier is the backbone of any army. Foot Soldiers would be useful for classes on World History, Military History, Political Science, World Culture and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

The Egyptians

The glory of the Egyptian Empire that for over 3,000 years rested on its ability to conquer others and to avoid being conquered. The foot soldier was a professional soldier that often spent more than twenty years in military service. Trained in the art of warfare as a young boy, the foot soldier was a seasoned, hardened cog in a machine that ruled the ancient world for over thirty centuries.

• adage
• arduous
• booty
• carnage
• conscripted
• consummate
• endowed
• indignity
• ingenuity
• orgiastic
• pathetic
• pillage
• prowess
• regalia
• scrupulously
• verify

1. Great generals make the history books, but they would not be great generals without their foot soldiers. Discuss how foot soldiers are the backbone of any army.

2. Egyptian foot soldiers lived an arduous and difficult life. Discuss some of the obstacles and hardships faced by foot soldiers.

3. What is the Rossetta Stone? Why was its discovery in 1798 so significant? How was its discovery a key to unlocking the mysteries of ancient civilizations?

4. Ancient Egypt had an educated class of scribes who recorded the details of the Egyptian Empire. Discuss the role of the scribes in ancient Egypt. How did these scribes contribute to modern knowledge of the Egyptian Empire?

5. Egypt conquered Nubia and took many Nubians as slaves. But the Egyptian army also incorporated many Nubians into the army. Why did the Egyptians allow conquered Nubians to become a part of its army? What were the benefits for the Egyptian army?

6. Although Egypt possessed a more civilized civilization than the Hyksos, the Hyksos defeated the Egyptians. Why were the Hyksos able to defeat the Egyptians?

7. Egyptian soldiers had a tradition of cutting off the hands of the enemies they had killed. Why did they do this? What was the significance of the act?

8. Although life in the army was hard, many men were attracted to it. What made army life attractive to young men?

9. Discuss how the Egyptians and the Hittites achieved a peaceful coexistence.

10. How did the Egyptian Empire finally fall?

1. Draw a map of Egypt and use this map to illustrate the natural defenses enjoyed by the Egyptian Empire.

2. Egyptians often created murals depicting their victories. Using the medium of your choice, create a mural that tells the story of one of Egypt's great victories.

3. Write an essay on Egypt culture and its affect on western civilization.

4. Create an illustration of an Egyptian foot soldier from the Middle Kingdom that shows his uniform and weapons of war.

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Air Dates

• May 24, 2002
• December 27, 2002