by Max Overton
Iurudef nodded sagely and turned to Disebek of Re, his most senior commander. "I knew Setnakhte would struggle to hold the Kushites in order. They are undisciplined at best. It appears many have deserted him."
"Then let this be the death blow for his pretentions, sir," Disebek replied.
"Prepare the men. We will strike as soon as they arrive."
By noon, the southern legions appeared on the rim of the prepared battlefield and stopped as if to examine the ground ahead of them. Iurudef could recognise the banners of Amun and Mut, and an unknown banner that he reasoned was the identifying mark of the Kushite troops. They had only a handful of chariots, but drew these up in battle formation anyway. Rams' horns blew to the south and Setnakhte's legions moved forward onto the cleared ground.
"He's very confident to attack immediately," Disebek murmured.
"Overconfident," Iurudef opined. "He believes himself already king." He turned to the other commanders. "Be ready for my signal." They saluted and hurried to their legions, shouting commands to their junior officers.
Setnakhte's legions drew closer, moving steadily in their Troops and as they advanced completely onto the plain, Iurudef gave the signal for the chariot squadrons. Horns blew again, voices rose in cheers and battle cries and the horses leapt forward. Chariots bounced and bucked on the rough ground and then settled into a roaring advance that swept down upon the enemy like a desert storm. The legions followed, men breaking ranks as they ran, eager to get to grips with what they felt certain would be the shattered ranks of the enemy. The Amun and Mut legions did indeed break apart as the chariots crashed into their ranks, archers standing alongside the charioteers pouring volley after volley of arrows into the milling mass of humanity.
"We have them," Disebek cried out exultantly. "See how they..."
The Re legion commander frowned and stared at the unfolding battle, where the racing chariot squadrons had ripped through the opposing legions, but instead of a field of dead and dying men left in their wake, men were picking themselves up and hurling themselves at the onrushing foot soldiers. To the south, where the chariots were in disarray as they halted their charge and struggled to turn and reform their units, black men rose up around them, stabbing spears in hand and wrought great damage on men and horses.
The battle devolved into a great struggle of fighting men, a multitude of individuals striving to kill their single opponent rather than work with their fellows for overall victory. Iurudef's men had the initial advantage, but the chariot charge had not dealt the death blow he had hoped it would. Then Setnakhte's men gained the ascendancy, swarming over and decimating the chariot squadrons. Ankhu's Sobek legion, held in reserve, were thrown into the fray, stiffening the resolve of the northern men for a time before the superior number of archers in Amun and Mut cut swathes through them.
Sobek turned and fled, and with a roar, Amun was upon them. Ramesses led the pursuit in his war chariot, routing the fleeing legion, while Setnakhte directed Panhesy of Mut and Taharqa the Kushite against the remnants of Re and Heru. The northern legions gave way, but did not run. Instead, they drew upon their experience and determination to sell their lives dearly as they retreated northward, pursued by the victorious forces of Setnakhte.
When darkness fell, calling a halt to the killing, Iurudef pulled his forces back as quickly as he could, ordering Disebek to guard the retreat with his Re legion. He also sent a chariot racing northward to carry the news to Men-nefer and beg for reinforcements. Such was the disarray of the northern legions that if Setnakhte had pressed home his attack, he must certainly have destroyed the backbone of his enemy, but he was overly cautious, not wanting to risk the gains he had made. His son Ramesses pleaded to attack, but the southern General called a halt to the advance while his scouts were sent out to judge the strength of the enemy legions.
"Iurudef has been defeated," Tjaty Mentu said. "A messenger arrived not an hour past with the news."
Tausret said nothing, just looked at Ament.
"How badly?" the Set legion commander asked.
"Re is largely intact, but Heru and Sobek have suffered substantial losses. They have withdrawn north of Akhetaten, and continue to retreat, though no longer in disarray. Setnakhte stopped for a while but now presses forward slowly, with the Amun legion under his son Ramesses leading the attack."
Ament shook his head. "It is not like Setnakhte to be so cautious. Why did he not follow up his victory with a swift push to Men-nefer?"
Mentu shrugged. "I cannot know his mind, but perhaps he cannot believe he had so easy a victory. His cautious advance may be because he believes our other legions are about to fall on him."
"Then his spies are playing him false. We only have Sept and Shu available."
"Set is in the north," Mentu observed, "yet you are not with your legion, Commander Ament, despite being ordered there by the Council. May I know the reason for your disobedience?"
"I ordered him back," Tausret said. "I presume I can still overrule my own Council?"
"Of course, Majesty. It is just that...who commands in the north if Ament is down here?"
"My own deputy Mose," Ament said. "He is a competent officer and well capable of handling the Retenu."
"Then, Commander Ament, as you seem to be senior officer until Iurudef returns to the city, what are we to do?"
"I will lead Sept and Shu south to shore up the other legions and deny the rebels the northern cities."
"Sept and Shu have their own commanders already, whereas your command lies in the north," Mentu observed.
"Mose will lead the Set legion now," Tausret said. "I am making Ament a general. I will relieve Iurudef of command and return him to the north to guard the frontier."
"He will see that as a punishment, Majesty. Is that what you intend?"
"If he chooses to interpret it as such," Tausret said. "He had the men to defeat Setnakhte but squandered his chances. I have full confidence in Ament to turn the situation around."
"With respect, Majesty," Mentu said with a frown, "I don't think you can afford to offend anyone at the moment, least of all your senior army officers."
Tausret glared at her Tjaty. "You think I am not qualified to judge military matters, Mentu? I, the victor of Perire?"
Mentu could do nothing but bow to the inevitable and to his king. "No, Majesty, of course not, but...perhaps you could give Iurudef a bit more time to accomplish his mission? A demotion following swiftly on the heels of a defeat may unsettle the populace. Already, crime is rising within the city because men fear the privations of another war."
"Enough, Tjaty. Follow my instructions or hand over your office to one who can."
Mentu bowed again, averting his eyes from the anger of his king. "Yes, Majesty."
***
Ament marched the Sept and Shu legions south within days. He had meant to convey them swiftly on barges, so that they would arrive rested, but the first flood waters had swollen the river and all he could do was transport them over to the east bank. He marched them along the desert road as the farmlands along the river were already swampy. The inundation lapped the riverbanks and filled the irrigation channels, making swift movement all but impossible on the eastern shore.
Ramesses was moving faster than Ament had been led to believe and outriding chariots of the Amun legion, including many captured from the northern legions, clashed with the Shu legion. They had encircled Iurudef's men and pushed northward instead of finishing them off, and now fell upon Shu, sending them reeling back in disarray. Sept moved up in support and repulsed the attacking chariots, pushing southward to join up with the other northern legions.
"This is all that remains of your army?" Ament asked of Iurudef when the Generals met. "What has happened?"
Iurudef took Ament by the arm and drew him aside. "Re remains loyal, but desertions are high among the other two legions."
"What is the matter with them? Setnakhte won't stop here. He means to take over the north too. They may flee
to their homes, but the war will follow them."
"They have not fled the war," Iurudef said grimly, "but have joined the enemy. We were outnumbered, but at least your two legions will have restored the balance. I will use them to wrest the initiative from Setnakhte."
"No." Ament handed over a scroll. "These are my orders direct from Sitre Tausret. You are relieved of your command and are to resume command of the border legions. I will take your place as General."
Iurudef went pale and stared at Ament. "I am relieved of my command? After all my good work in containing the enemy? Has the king lost her senses?"
"Careful, Iurudef, your words reek of treason. It is only because I hold you in high regard that I overlook them."
"Very good of you, I'm sure, Ament." Iurudef read the document carefully and checked the seals before handing it back. "I have no doubt your hand is in this, but what do you hope to gain by dividing the king's forces? Is this some plot to gain the throne for yourself?"
"That is quite enough, Iurudef. Stop now before you say something that I cannot ignore. I suggest you gather your personal staff together and leave."
"And what will you do?"
"That does not concern you. I am now the Commanding General and will act as I see fit."
Iurudef left within the hour, taking five chariots with him and speeding north. Ament sent out scouts to report on the enemy positions and then called an assembly of his five legions, inspecting them and conferring with their commanders. As Iurudef had indicated, Re was still at almost full strength and loyal, but Heru was at half strength and Sobek even worse. He transferred officers from Re into the under strength legions to stem the flood of desertions and executed some twenty men caught leaving the lines.
"We are here to oppose the traitor Setnakhte," he told the commanders. "I expect every man to offer up his very life for King Sitre Tausret if necessary."
When the reports from the scouts came in, Ament changed his orders. "We will continue the withdrawal," he said.
"We do not oppose the traitor?" Disebek enquired.
"He is too strong for us, and the flood has started."
"It does not affect the desert road," Merymose said. "Let us bring Setnakhte to battle once more."
"We have one and a half experienced legions and two and a half auxiliaries to confront three experienced and however many of our men who have deserted," Ament countered. "I will not waste men in a futile battle."
The northern army withdrew in good order, each legion covering the retreat of its fellows. Ramesses and the Amun legion harassed them all the way, descending upon them in lightning strikes and melting away in the face of firming resistance. Meanwhile, Setnakhte's army advanced behind them, still gaining strength from continued desertions.
By the time Ament had pulled back as far as Men-nefer, the river was in full flood and it was all he could do to pull as many men as he could back over the river into the city, while sending the Re legion northeast to rejoin the border defences. Setnakhte camped out on the plains to the east of the river and contemplated the seat of the king in the capital city across the waters.
***
Tausret was not pleased to see Ament back again so soon, or to look out upon the burgeoning camp of her enemy on the far side of the river. She ordered Ament into her presence and made her feelings known.
"I made you General so you could defeat the enemy, but instead you have brought him back with you. How are your actions any better than those of that incompetent general, Iurudef?"
"It would have been impossible to defeat him, Majesty," Ament said, bowing low before her anger. "We were outnumbered and desertions among our legions further weakened us."
"Instead, you brought the enemy to the gates of the city."
"The river in flood will prevent an attack, Majesty."
"And when the water goes down?"
"Then we will attack him with the full force of our northern army and destroy him utterly."
Tausret sat on her throne in all her kingly regalia and stared at her new General for a long time. "Let it be as you say," she said at last. "You are dear to my heart, Ament, but even I cannot put you before the Ma'at of Kemet. You must succeed when the months of Akhet have passed or you too will pass."
Chapter 45
Year 2 (7) Sitre Meryamun Tausret
The flood waters receded at last and the two armies bestirred themselves. Ament had not sat idle in Men-nefer during the months of the inundation, but had completely refitted the legions with him and instituted training programs on the high ground to the west of the city. Nothing could make up for the lack of battle experience, but at least the Troops within each legion were now acting in unison and could be relied upon not to break and run when attacked. Artisans within the city had been hard at work building more chariots too, to replace the ones now gracing the legions under Setnakhte.
Ament ordered two legions south from the northern borders and, as they threatened Setnakhte's soldiers, threw the revitalised Heru and Sobek legions across the river to take him in the rear. Setnakhte's legions had suffered during the protracted inundation and were weaker than they had been when they first arrived. Although outnumbering the legions thrown at them, they pulled back in the face of a determined assault. The Sept and Shu legions joined the fray, and their added strength tipped the balance--Setnakhte withdrew southward, though in good order, while Ramesses guided his chariot squadrons against the northern legions, slowing their advance.
"I have done as I said I would," Ament reported. "I have driven the enemy from the gates of Men-nefer and he now retreats back whence he came."
"I knew you would do it, faithful friend," Tausret said. "Soon this time of trouble will be past and I can bring peace to the Two Kingdoms once more."
"I fear that might be somewhat optimistic, Majesty," Tjaty Mentu said. "Even here in Ta Mehu we are beset with problems, and there is no word from Paraemheb in Waset. I fear the worst for Ta Shemau."
"You see troubles where there are none, Mentu," Tausret responded, waving a hand dismissively. "Setnakhte retreats and will soon surrender. Ma'at will be restored."
Hori looked at Ament. "Why do you hide the true situation from the king?" he asked. "Setnakhte is no longer retreating but has formed a defensive line above Akhetaten. That is not what I would call going back whence he came; nor the action of a man who believes himself defeated."
"Is this true, General Ament?" Tausret asked.
Ament shrugged. "He has halted his retreat," he admitted, "but I have every reason to believe he will renew it. We can bring pressure to bear on him."
"And how long can you keep the northern legions from their duties?"
"Long enough, Mentu. Do not concern yourself with military matters and I will not concern myself with the ruinous situation in Ta Mehu. Fields lie fallow when they should be burgeoning with new life after the inundation, and armed bands spread terror and disaffection throughout the Kingdom. Why are you doing nothing about that?"
"You dare ask me that? One is the result of the other. How can men lead productive lives when their Ma'at is shattered by renewed civil war? Armed men are no longer just found in the army but can now wander with impunity, taking all they desire. Meanwhile, honest men must wait for a victory by the royal legions, but it seems they must wait in vain."
"Enough, Mentu," Tausret said. "The whole nation waits for peace and the restoration of Ma'at, but such things take time to accomplish. Ament, when may I expect reports of a final victory?"
"You have had reports of victory already, Majesty," Ament replied. "There will be more in the future, and one of them will be the final one."
"Before the year is out? I need to ensure that my tomb and Mansion of Millions of Years is finished and I cannot do that while Setnakhte controls the south."
Ament hesitated and then nodded. "If I can use all the legions."
Now that the eyes of the king were fixed upon him, Ament left a single legion, Set, on the northern borders and ama
ssed an army to attack Setnakhte's position. Re, Heru and Ptah led the assault, with Sept, Shu, Sobek and Khent-abt in support. Setnakhte's men fought valiantly, and at one point a charge by Ramesses almost carried the day, but the numbers were too great and first the Kushites and then Mut and Amun were pushed back. By sunset on that first day, the southern army was streaming away, and only darkness prevented Ament from claiming a decisive victory.
Dawn saw the northern army pushing forward again, but messengers arrived from the north, fast chariots bearing the insignia of the Set legion. The Retenu had risen in revolt once more, and the single northern legion could not contain them. Ament cursed, but knew he could not ignore this summons. He sent Heru and Ptah north, with Sept and Sobek in support, ordering Disebek to take over the Ptah legion and command the legions until they arrived at the northern border. They were to report to Iurudef, crush the rebels and return as soon as possible. In the meantime, Ahhotep the commander of Ptah, took Disebek's place in command of the Re legion.
Ament pushed his three remaining legions hard, determined to carry the fight to Setnakhte while his men were still in retreat, but the unrest that Mentu had reported in Ta Mehu flared up and Tausret ordered him to send men to put down a revolt in the western sepats. Ament raged and swore, but he could not ignore a direct order from the king. He left Re and Shu to contain the southern army, now a few days below Akhetaten, and took Khent-abt to put down rebellion in the western sepats.
Ament pushed his men hard, rage consuming him, and ten days later arrived on the western bank downriver from Men-nefer, from where the reports of rebellion had originated. There he founds scenes of devastation--crops burned and livestock slaughtered, and dead and dying men. Interrogations of the survivors revealed that two nobles had rebelled, offering up themselves separately as suitable male heirs to Usermaatre. Both claimed descent from the great king though neither had any military background. Their armies consisted of peasants and robber bands who scented profits by throwing in their lots with a noble. One of the rebels was Meryre, son of Meryatum who had been the Hem-netjer of Re at Iunu and had rebelled in the days of Userkheperure Seti.
