training may well have been to learn the prompt reassembling of
their chariot as they drew near to enemy territory.) There would
obviously be benefit in this for the chariot-horses as well – for
without having to drag a chariot and a driver over very long
distances they could be kept in as fresh a condition as possible
before facing the rigours of armed conflict.
What about cavalry? In fact we have no clear evidence that
the Hittite army regularly included a cavalry contingent, though
cavalry detachments and small groups of armed horsemen may
have played some role in Hittite military operations, and we have
occasional references to mounted troops being despatched against
cities, towns and enemy forces.^3 It’s likely that mounted horsemen
were involved primarily in reconnaissance activities, and in
escorting deportees and captured livestock back to the homeland.
(We do incidentally have indications that the Egyptians used small
numbers of cavalry in their military forces.)
ARMY DISCIPLINE
Though we have few details, military training and discipline within
the army must have been harsh and rigorous. This was a necessity
given the large distances the expeditionary forces frequently had
to cover, in as short a time as possible and often in harsh
environmental conditions. All the while they needed to be in peak
physical shape, fully prepared to meet at short notice enemy attacks
along the campaign route as well as at the final destination.
Deserters were referred directly to the king for punishment. Those
found guilty were almost certainly executed, probably after they’d
been paraded before the troops in women’s clothes as a sign of
their cowardice. Failure to report acts of disloyalty by officers or
by those in the ranks also incurred the death penalty. In one
particularly serious crisis, a king threatened his officers stationed in
one of the homeland provinces with blinding or execution for
failing to respond promptly to his commands:‘Say to Kassu and
Zilapiya:“As soon as this letter reaches you, come with all haste
before His Majesty. If not, (my men) will come to you and blind
you on the spot!”’
ALL THE KING’S HORSES AND ALL THE KING’S MEN 175