On the battlefield where this great fight took place, I was shown something truly remarkable by the local people. Long after the battle had ended, the bones of the soldiers who had been killed were still lying on the ground. They were not mixed together at random. Instead, they were clearly separated into two distinct groups. In one area lay the bones of the Persians, gathered in the place where their bodies had first fallen. In another area, apart from them, lay the bones of the Egyptians.
This separation of the remains made a strong impression, and the natives were quick to point it out. To them, it was not only a reminder of the battle but also a sign of the clear division between the two armies Cambyses Tests the Fallen King of Egypt.
The Difference Between Persian and Egyptian Skulls
The most surprising detail was the condition of the skulls. When I examined them more closely, I noticed a clear difference in their strength. If a Persian skull was struck, even with something as small as a pebble, it would easily crack or break, leaving a visible hole. In contrast, the Egyptian skulls were much stronger. Even when struck with a stone, they were very difficult to break.
This contrast was so striking that it demanded an explanation. The locals offered a reason that seemed reasonable to me, based on their customs and way of life.
An Explanation from Egyptian Customs
According to the Egyptians, the strength of their skulls came from habits formed in early childhood. From a very young age, Egyptian children had their heads shaved. With no hair to protect the scalp, the head was exposed directly to the strong sun. Over many years, they believed, the heat of the sun caused the skull to grow thicker and harder.
They also claimed that this practice helped prevent baldness later in life. In Egypt, they said, bald men were far less common than in other lands. The constant exposure to the sun was thought to strengthen not only the skull but also the hair roots, keeping the head healthy.
Persian Habits and Weaker Skulls
The Persians, on the other hand, followed very different customs. From childhood, they kept their heads covered and protected from the sun. They commonly wore turbans or other forms of head coverings. Because of this, their skulls were not exposed to the sun’s heat Ephesus Tour Guide.
The Egyptians believed that this lack of exposure made Persian skulls thinner and weaker. As a result, when struck, they broke much more easily than those of the Egyptians. Whether this explanation is fully correct or not, it reflects how strongly people in the ancient world connected physical strength with daily habits and environment.
Similar Observations Elsewhere
This was not the only place where I noticed such a difference. I observed the same thing at Papremis, another site of conflict. There, Persian soldiers had been killed along with Achaemenes, the son of Darius, during a revolt led by Inarus the Libyan.
Once again, the skulls of the Persians were noticeably weaker than those of the local people. These repeated observations convinced me that what I had seen on the battlefield was not an isolated case but something that appeared in different places and at different times.
These observations show how ancient writers tried to understand physical differences between peoples by looking at customs, climate, and daily life. Whether fully accurate or not, such explanations offer valuable insight into how the ancient world viewed the connection between nature, culture, and the human body.
