The Celtic Sleeper Mercenaries of Ancient Egypt
Channel: Celtic History Decoded
Date: 2022-05-09

The Celtic Sleeper Mercenaries of Ancient Egypt

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Fierce Celtic mercenaries served in the armies of Egyptian Pharaohs in the 3rd century BC. During times of peace however, they became sleeper mercenaries. They were known as cleruchs (meaning sleepers). When their fighting services were not needed, they were given a plot of land (or kleros) to cultivate and work, usually in the Fayum region of Egypt near Cairo. 

The size of that land reflected their military status, with immigrant cavalry households usually richer in land and livestock than Egyptian natives. In Middle Egypt, cleruchs often lived rent free, and in Upper Egypt, they were free of the harvest tax. 

They were expected to maintain their military skills when in their sleeper capacity, immediately available to serve when needed. When war broke out, these Celtic sleeper mercenaries would put down their sickles and pick up their swords. 

For instance, when Egypt was threatened by the Seleucid King, Antiochos III, in 217 BC, Ptolemy IV activated these sleeper mercenaries, which included many Celts. Of the 50,000 troops that fought for Egypt, 6,000 were Gauls or Thracians. Some of these sleeper mercenaries were the children of cleruchs who had settled in Egypt decades prior under the same scheme. These Celtic mercenaries helped Egypt win a resounding victory at the Battle of Raphia in Gaza over the Seleucid King. 

Celts went on to live in, and fight for Egypt at least well into the 2nd century BC. 

Sources:
Barry Cunliffe (2018) The Ancient Celts (Oxford University Press)

Cleruchs, Egypt - DOROTHY J. THOMPSON https://www.academia.edu/71473755/Cleruchs_Egypt

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