Ancient Warfare, Key Figures, and Strategies: History and Military Tactics

Who wrote the Iliad and when was it composed?

Homer, a Greek poet, and composed in the 8th century BCE.

Who fought the Battle of Kadesh and what was the outcome?

Egyptians and the Hittites, ended in a stalemate, but both used it as propaganda, took place in the late 1200s BCE

Who wrote about the Battle of Thermopylae, and what was its significance?

Written by Herodotus, a small Greek force held a narrow pass over the much larger Persian army, which highlighted the power of strategy over size, took place in 480 BCE during the Greco-Persian wars

What made the Macedonian Phalanx unique from earlier Greek formations?

It used long two-handed pikes, used cavalry and light infantry, provided better front-facing power, but left the sides and back vulnerable, used in the 300s BCE

What is Alexander the Great primarily known for?

Launching a massive military campaign against the Persians in the 300s BCE

What is Hannibal known for in the Second Punic War?

He was a Carthaginian general who led his troops, including elephants, across the Alps to invade Italy during the Second Punic War in the 200s BCE

Who fought the Second Punic War, and what was the key outcome?

Was fought between Rome and Carthage. Rome's victory established its dominance, and Carthage became a vassal state, took place in the 200s BCE

What was the significance of the Siege of Alesia?

The final battle of the Gallic Wars, the Romans and Caesar defeated the Gauls, took place in 52 BCE

What is the Art of War and who wrote it?

It is a guide to military strategy and leadership written by Sun Tzu who was a Chinese general and philosopher, it was recorded in the Spring and Autumn period

What were the key principles of Lord Shang's reforms?

He created a merit-based ranking system with high rewards for high rankings and a strict legal code to hold people accountable, 5th-3rd centuries BCE

Why was the Terracotta Army created, and for whom?

It was built for the 1st Emperor of China to protect him in the afterlife, it consists of 8,000 soldiers arranged in battle formation, built in the 200s BCE

What was the 1st Emperor of China's major accomplishment?

He unified China in 221 BCE after centuries of rival states and founded the Qin dynasty, proclaiming himself emperor in 221 BCE

Who wrote the Strategikon and what was its purpose?

Attributed to Emperor Maurice, it was a military manual for Byzantine generals fighting on multiple fronts, written in the late 6th century CE

What was the Parthian Shot?

A military tactic used by Parthian horse archers, where they would fake a retreat while turning around to fire arrows at their enemies. used from 3rd century BCE-3rd century CE