"Militarism is the belief or the desire of a government or a people that a state should maintain a strong military capability and to use it aggressively to expand national interests and/or values."
This topic explores the origins of militaristic cultures and how they developed into organized armies. It includes the ways in which societies came to rely on aggression and conquest as central to their power and identity.
Ancient Warfare: This covers the historical context and evolution of military tactics, strategy, and weaponry.
Social Hierarchies and Military Service: The impact of military service on social status and hierarchies, including the role of the citizen-soldier and the emergence of professional armies.
Military Training and Induction: How ancient cultures trained and inducted soldiers, looking at factors such as age, physical fitness, and aptitude.
Military Leadership and Command: The role of military leaders throughout history, including their influence on strategy, tactics, and battlefield decision-making.
Military Logistics and Supply Chains: The development, management and maintenance of military supply chains and their importance.
Military Expansion and Conquest: The motivations and methods used by ancient cultures to expand their territories and conquer new lands.
Military Communication and Intelligence: The strategies and technologies used by ancient military forces to inform and communicate, including the use of spies and intelligence gathering.
Military and Civilian Populations: The relationship between military forces and the civilian populations they protected or oppressed, including the recruitment of soldiers and the impact of military conquest on civilians.
Military and Religion: The role of religion in ancient military culture, including the use of religious symbols, rituals, and beliefs to motivate and inspire troops.
Military and Economic Systems: The impact of war and conquest on ancient economies and trade, including the role of plunder and tribute in military campaigns.
Spartanism: Focuses on the military training and way of life of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, which emphasizes discipline, obedience, and self-sacrifice for the greater good of the community.
Samurai culture: Refers to the samurai warriors of feudal Japan, who adhered to a strict code of honor and loyalty to their lords and emphasized martial prowess, swordsmanship, and self-discipline.
Roman militarism: Refers to the military and political culture of ancient Rome, which was built on military conquests and emphasized discipline, organization, loyalty, and valor in battle.
Macedonian phalanx: Refers to the military tactics and organization employed by the ancient Macedonian army under Alexander the Great, which emphasized the use of a dense formation of infantry equipped with long spears called sarissas.
Persian Empire: Refers to the ancient Persian Empire, which built a large standing army consisting of both infantry and cavalry and employed sophisticated military tactics and technology such as the bow and arrow, chariots, and siege engines.
Carthaginian militarism: Refers to the military culture of the ancient Carthaginian civilization, which was built on a powerful navy and commercial empire and emphasized the use of mercenaries and tactics such as the use of war elephants.
Chinese martial traditions: Refers to the various martial arts and military traditions that developed in ancient China, such as Wushu, Kung Fu, and the use of crossbows and other weapons.
Viking culture: Refers to the martial and seafaring culture of the Vikings, who were known for their raiding and trading expeditions and their use of axes, swords, and shields in battle.
Celtic warrior culture: Refers to the military culture of the ancient Celtic peoples, who emphasized valor, individual heroism, and the use of chariots and cavalry in battle.
"It may also imply the glorification of the military and of the ideals of a professional military class and the 'predominance of the armed forces in the administration or policy of the state'."
"Notable ancient examples include the Assyrian Empire, the Greek city state of Sparta, the Roman Empire, the Aztec nation, and the Mongol Empire."
"Examples from modern times include the Ottoman Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia/German Empire/Third Reich, the British Empire, the Habsburg monarchy, the United States of America, the First French Empire, the Zulu Kingdom, the Empire of Japan, the Italian Empire under Benito Mussolini, North Korea and the Russian Empire/Soviet Union/Russia."
"Militarism has been a significant element of the imperialist or expansionist ideologies of many nations throughout history."
"Notable ancient examples [of militarism] include [...] the Roman Empire."
"The Italian Empire under Benito Mussolini."
"Examples from modern times include [...] the Ottoman Empire."
"The United States of America."
"It may also imply the glorification of the military and of the ideals of a professional military class."
"Notable ancient examples [of militarism] include [...] the Greek city state of Sparta."
"The Kingdom of Prussia/German Empire/Third Reich."
"N/A - The Chinese Empire is not mentioned in the given paragraph."
"Notable ancient examples [of militarism] include [...] the Mongol Empire."
"Examples from modern times include [...] the Empire of Japan."
"North Korea."
"Examples from modern times include [...] the British Empire."
"It may also imply the glorification of the military and of the ideals of a professional military class and the 'predominance of the armed forces in the administration or policy of the state' (see also: stratocracy and military junta)."
"N/A - The Russian Revolution is not mentioned in the given paragraph."
"Notable ancient examples [of militarism] include the Assyrian Empire."