It was new technology that helped Thutmose III to extend the boundaries of Egypt, reaching as far as the River Euphrates in Mesopotamia. And that technology was the chariot – a new form of transportation that could be ruthlessly deployed to expand the empire and defeat Egypt’s enemies, greatly enhancing the military and economic power of the New Kingdom (c.1550-1070 BC).
The success of the chariot was dependent on the design of its wheels. They had to withstand rocky terrain and battle engagements, at speeds exceeding those of people running on foot. At the same time, the vehicle’s occupants needed a ride smooth and stable enough to allow the effective use of bows and lances. The wheels had to adapt rapidly to the stresses produced by two horses, under a yolk and controlled by the charioteer’s reins, pulling the chariot sideways, forwards, and backwards. The wheels had to be easily and quickly repaired or replaced. They had to function in many different climates and terrains, such as the Egyptian Delta and desert, and in mountainous cities like Kadesh in the Levant, which was attacked by Thutmose III, Sety I, and (most famously) Ramesses II.
So how was this remarkable feat of engineering achieved?
The longue durée at Dion