The Dja - the Pharoah's Spear
The Fighting Spear of Ancient Egypt
The spear had been used for hunting since paleolithic times, and was adapted for warfare when metal - bronze and copper - became available to make blades. Originally, in the Old Kingdom, long copper tanged blades were used, but by the end of the Middle Kingdom more leaf-shaped socketed bronze blades replaced these.
History of the Spear in Egypt
By the Middle Kingdom, some spears may have been fitted with axe blades so that they could be used as a slashing weapon, or a primitive halberd. Other variants included multi-pronged forked heads.
The javelin, or throwing spear, was used against animals in the Old Kingdom, as its weight gave it greater penetrating power than an arrow. However, once the spear began to be used in warfare against opponents carrying shields, this advantage was lost, and the ease and speed of mass-producing arrows led to the bow becoming the ranged weapon of choice.
Projectile or Melee - to Throw or Not
Having begun its existence as a thrown hunting weapon, the spear soon evolved when adapted for warfare. Unlike other ancient armies, the Egyptians did not rely primarily on this type of weapon. Rather than fighting in a phalanx with spears, they would use archery first and then send in close-combat infantry with swords, axes, and maces.
When the spear was issued it was often a backup weapon for charioteers, so that they could chase down fleeing enemies and use the spear's long reach to stab them from the chariot. The spears could also still be thrown if all the chariot's arrows were gone.
For the most part, as with other Egyptian weapons, the spear was given to infantrymen, along with a shield. This type of spear was intended for melee combat by a man with a shield, not for throwing. Each man only had one spear and so would be unarmed if he threw it. It's design also argues against being a thrown weapon.
Design of the Infantry Spear
The standard spear of Ancient Egypt, issued to soldiers, was shorter than other spears of the ancient world, being only five to six feet long, with a leaf-shaped blade. This type of blade could therefore slash and cut, as well as thrust. It was not that well balanced for throwing, but because the shaft was made of lightweight wood it could be wielded easily with one hand, or two.
With a shield in one hand, the soldier could thrust overarm or underarm with the spear. It was light enough to be quickly swung round the head as a cutting weapon to keep enemies at bay, or to attack the head. At six feet long, it could also be used in two-hands, as a polearm like a quarterstaff. Used this way, an Egyptian spear would certainly be fast, but the wood was not particularly strong, and would be vulnerable to sword or axe strikes breaking it.
The Dja - the Shortest Fighting Spear
Although Egyptian spears were shorter than most spears in other armies, a shorter version still was developed from a Canaanite weapon. The Canaanites normally used two-to-three-metre length spears called romah as stabbing weapons, but also used a one-handed short spear in conjunction with a shield. This spear was little over a metre long, about four feet in total, and became adopted by Egypt as the Dja.
This spear had a slightly larger elongated leaf- or diamond- shaped blade which was also sharpened on the shorter rearward edges, so it could wound even when being pulled backwards after missing with a thrust.
Some versions also had the butt weighted with stone. This made it even more unusable as a thrown weapon, but made it a formidable close combat weapon, as the weighted end could be used to batter shields or apply impact trauma through helmets. Although intended as a single-handed weapon it was just long enough to use as a two-handed staff type weapon also.
Legacy and Value
Although not a high status weapon like a Khopesh or penetrative axe, the spear was useful enough to be so well regarded that Pharoahs are shown using it. Amenhotep II is recorded as using one to "take the goods" of the Canaanites at Shemesh-Edom, while Rameses III is depicted smiting a Libyan prisoner with one.
Sources:
The Military History Of Ancient Israel by Richard A Gabriel, Greenwood Press, 2003
Armies Of The Pharoahs by Mark Healy, Osprey, 1992
Egyptian Warfare And Weapons by Ian Shaw, Shire, 1991
Royal Armouries, Leeds
What do you think about this article?
More in History
Latest Articles