Bringing Ancient Egyptian Warfare to the 21st Century
Unexpectedly, the usually calm Quiet Green at Brown University turned into a scene straight out of pharaonic Egypt on April 18, 2025. Forget about frisbees and textbooks—students swapped them for shields, spears, and linen tunics to recreate the thunderous chaos of ancient clashes. The event wasn’t just a spectacle; it was the culmination of the ARCH 1630 course, where students traded traditional exams for an all-out ancient Egyptian warfare reenactment.
The heart of the commotion? A dramatized version of moments from the legendary Battle of Kadesh—probably the most storied fight in Egypt’s 3,000-year military history. This wasn’t a dry, textbook summary. Students dived into the nitty-gritty details: they mapped out complex formations, experimented with ancient strategies, and used crafted props to mimic the iconic chariots and weaponry of that era. Admittedly, no one risked life and limb, but the excitement and tension building up across the field felt pretty real to onlookers.
Hands-On History Meets Public Spectacle
What set the project apart was the way it turned history into a. living, breathing thing. Instead of lecturing from a podium, students tried to step into the sandals of Egyptian soldiers and commanders. Some played the part of Pharaoh Ramses II’s chariot driver, while others held the line as Hittite warriors, their “bronze swords” glinting in the spring sunshine. The props were convincing enough to transport spectators—at least for an hour—into the swirling dust of Ancient Near Eastern battlefields.
The public didn’t just stand at a distance. People stopped by between classes or brought their kids to watch. Some laughed at slip-ups, but others sat quietly, clearly absorbed by how much work went into the performances. There was a brief moment for questions after the fierce showdown, where students explained how tactics like the chariot wedge and defensive formations made Egypt a force to be reckoned with in the Bronze Age.
This whole effort was about more than “edutainment.” The coordinator of ARCH 1630 said the goal was to get students immersed—really inside—the minds of ancient strategists. Researching how those battles played out and then acting them out forced everyone to think about the sophistication and ingenuity of Ancient Egyptian warfare firsthand. Several students admitted that trying to coordinate a reenactment, even with fake swords and modern safety rules, showed them just how tough it must have been for real soldiers fighting on those distant riverbanks thousands of years ago.
- Students constructed shields and spears from cardboard and wood, mimicking historical weaponry.
- Battle formations were based on close readings of ancient texts and archaeological evidence.
- The event encouraged onlookers to ask questions and discuss the realities of ancient conflicts.
No matter how high-tech classrooms get, it’s clear there’s no substitute for experiencing history directly—even if it means transforming a green lawn into a battleground, if only for an afternoon.