Phylakitai

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The Phylakitai was an ancient Egyptian paramilitary police force that operated throughout the kingdom. They were charged with maintaining order, enforcing the pharaoh's laws, and fighting bandits and foreign invaders. During the reign of Ptolemy XIII, in the late 1st century BCE, the phylakitai commander of Alexandria was Gennadios, whilst the phylakitai commander of Karanis was Epigonos.

Structure

The Phylakitai was a mixed organization, incorporating both native Egyptian and Greeks into its ranks. Lower ranking members dressed in simple red-and-white tunics or shirts, wore no armor except for a small belt to protect the groin, and sometimes donned a head covering to shield against the sun. Archers were bare chested except for a cape over their shoulders.

Higher ranking members wore iron or leather breastplates, metal helmets, and red tunics, with archers donning a pointed helmet.

Trivia

• Like "phylakes", phylakitai is from the plural of Ancient Greek φύλαξ (phylax), meaning 'watcher, guard, sentinel'. Despite this, in-game, phylakitai is used in both singular and plural contexts.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Origins