Ancient Warfare [Lecture 2]

History at large is based on what

Written sources that document past events, people, ideas, etc…

Traditional View of warfare prehistorically

Theory that conflict was primarily driven by resource competition and subsistence needs

Revisionists View of warfare prehistorically

Theory that emphasizes social, political, and ideological factors in conflicts, rather than purely resource competition

Prehistorical weaponry

• Bow and Arrows

• Wooden Clubs

• Spears

• Rock Axes

Ur was the capital of what nation

Samaria

What was the writing by the Samaria’s

Cuneiform script

Who revolutionized warfare and was recorded in the Bible

The Hittites

Who were the Hittites

An ancient civilization known for their advanced metalworking and chariot technology

What were the Hittites weapons made from

Bronze which was made from copper and tin

Who was the first to develop iron swords

The Assyrians

What would Assyrians do to conquered cities

They would make them vassals that would require them to pay “tribute” or money, slaves, and goods

What was a siege engine

A type of military machine used to batter walls while firing arrows to then enter a city after breaching

What was the most useful type of warfare used by the Assyrians

Their Psychological warfare was most effective

What type of brutality was employed by the Assyrians

• Flaying captives

• Mutilation

• Rape captives

• Blinding prisoners

• Setting people on fire

• Displaying skulls on chariots

What is modern day Persia

Iran (East of Mesopotamia)

What was the Persians “elite group”

The Immortals, a highly skilled and well-equipped fighting force that served as the backbone of the Persian army

How did the Persians become great

Through sheer military numbers

How did the Persians gain soldiers

They forced every male in the empire to be in the army and allowed conquered peoples to serve, creating a large army

What is a dynasty

A sequence of rulers from the same family or lineage that maintains power over a period of time

What did the Chinese invent

• Gunpowder [Not used in war]

• Crossbow

• Flamethrower

• Chain whip

• Chinese sword [Jiang]