To judge from wisdom literature and artistic production, the ideal man in pharaonic Egypt was as polite and even-tempered as he was well groomed. This article examines the evidence for warrior burials from periods when the state was decentralized or relatively weak and argues that conceptions of manhood in fact oscillated between an irenic ideal and a more violent counterpart. Drawing upon comparative case studies and advice given by Niccolò Machiavelli to his prince, I argue that hegemonic masculinity in Egypt did not simply reflect the character of the times. Rather, rulers actively promoted the type of masculinity that best served their purpose. To an ambitious local ruler engaged in enlarging his core territory, it was beneficial to appeal to and encourage ideals of valor among potential soldiers and supporters. Once peace had been established, however, violent masculinities proved disruptive. Based on internal evidence as well as observations of authoritarian governments that aimed similarly to solidify their power and pacify their realms, I suggest that pharaohs and their advisors likely employed five specific strategies to neutralize potential competitors and transform an honor-bound warrior aristocracy into courtiers and bureaucrats.

从智慧文学和艺术作品的判断来看，法老埃及的理想人像他打扮得体一样礼貌待人，脾气暴躁。本文考察了国家权力下放或相对薄弱时期埋葬战士的证据，并指出，男子气概实际上是在宗教理想和较暴力的理想之间摇摆的。根据尼科洛·马基雅维利（NiccolòMachiavelli）对王子的比较案例研究和建议，我认为埃及的霸权男性气质并不能简单地反映时代特征。相反，统治者积极推广最能满足其目的的男性气质。对于一个雄心勃勃的地方统治者来说，扩大自己的核心领土，在潜在的士兵和支持者中呼吁并鼓励英勇的理想是有益的。一旦建立和平，但是，暴力男子气被证明具有破坏性。基于内部证据以及专制政府旨在巩固其权力和安抚其领土的专制政府的观察，我建议法老王及其顾问可能采用五种具体策略来中和潜在的竞争对手，并将受荣誉约束的战士贵族转变为朝臣。官僚。