"The difference between prehistoric and ancient warfare is more organization oriented than technology oriented."
This topic focuses on the weaponry and battle strategies used by ancient armies. It examines the development and use of weapons such as swords, spears, shields, and bows, as well as tactics such as sieges and cavalry charges.
Weapons and armor: The types, usage, and evolution of weapons and armor throughout ancient military history.
Tactics and Strategies: The various tactics and strategies used by the armies of ancient world powers.
Ancient Warfare: The evolution of warfare from ancient times to the present day.
Ancient Military Technology: The technology used by ancient armies such as siege engines, transportation, and communications.
Military Campaigns: Overview of specific military campaigns from the ancient world.
Military Leaders: The most successful military leaders in ancient history.
Warfare in Different Cultures: Differences in tactics and weapons utilized by different cultures in ancient history.
The Role of the Soldier: The role of the soldier throughout ancient military history including recruitment, training, and discipline.
The Role of Women in Ancient Warfare: The role of women in ancient military history for example, female warriors or the role of women during war.
Military History of Civilizations: Overview of the military history of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Persia.
Military Innovations: Innovations that have influenced modern warfare throughout ancient history.
Military Hierarchies: The military hierarchy and organization of ancient armies.
Historical Battles: Significant battles that took place in ancient history.
Combat in Different Terrain: How warfare differed depending on the terrain one was fighting on - hills, mountains, deserts, etc.
Naval Warfare: Overview of naval warfare tactics in ancient history.
Logistics and Supply Chain: The logistics of ancient warfare, including supply chains and transportation.
Lessons from ancient wars: Lessons from ancient wars on when invading or defending, immigration, revolutionary warfare etc.
Convict soldiers: The pros and cons of using convict soldiers in ancient warfare.
Weapons and armor for historical reenactment: How to make and use historically accurate weapons and armor for educational purposes.
Survival Tactics: The survival tactics of soldiers in ancient history including food and water, diseases and injuries, and climate conditions.
Swords: A long straight or curved blade used for slicing and thrusting.
Spears: A long pole-like shaft with a sharp end used for thrusting and throwing.
Bows and arrows: A weapon consisting of a curved piece of wood or other material that shoots projectiles.
Axes: A tool with a sharp and heavy metal head usually above a wooden handle.
Maces: A club-like weapon with a heavy metal head.
Shields: A piece of protective gear used to block incoming attacks.
Catapults: A device used to launch missiles over walls or into enemy camps.
Slings: A weapon that uses a piece of leather or cloth to hurl stones or other heavy objects.
Siege engines: Machines used to break down walls and structures.
Flanks: Attacking from the sides of the enemy.
Ambush: A surprise attack on the enemy using concealment or surprise.
Cavalry Charge: Attacking the enemy with horse-mounted soldiers.
Phalanx: A military formation where soldiers march in a tight formation with interlocking shields and spears.
Scorched Earth: Burning and destroying all resources and land that could be useful to the enemy.
Confusion tactics: Spreading false information to confuse and misdirect the enemy.
Decoy attacks: Making a non-threatening attack to distract the enemy from the real target.
Pincer movement: Surrounding the enemy from two or more sides to trap them.
Sieges: Surrounding and cutting off the resources of an enemy stronghold until they surrender or weaken.
"The development of first city-states, and then empires, allowed warfare to change dramatically."
"States produced sufficient agricultural surplus. This allowed full-time ruling elites and military commanders to emerge."
"While the bulk of military forces were still farmers..."
"These new armies were able to help states grow in size and become increasingly centralized."
"The end of antiquity is often equated with the Fall of Rome in 476 AD, the wars of the Eastern Roman Empire on its Southwestern Asian and North African borders, and the beginnings of the Muslim conquests in the 7th century."
"It can also be seen as ending of the growing role of mounted warriors needed to counter the ever-growing threat from the north in the 5th century..."
"The ancient period ends with the decline of the Gupta Empire (6th century) and the beginning of the Muslim conquests there from the 8th century."
"In Japan, the ancient period is considered to end with the rise of feudalism in the Kamakura period in the 12–13th century."
"Early ancient armies continued to primarily use bows and spears."
"The findings at the site of Nataruk in Turkana, Kenya, have been interpreted as evidence of inter-group conflict and warfare in antiquity."
"The infantries at this time would be divided into ranged and shock, with shock infantry either charging to cause penetration of the enemy line or hold their own."
"These forces would ideally be combined, thus presenting the opponent with a dilemma: group the forces and leave them vulnerable to ranged, or spread them out and make them vulnerable to shock."
"This balance would eventually change as technology allowed for chariots, cavalry, and artillery to play an active role on the field."
"No clear line can be drawn between ancient and medieval warfare."
"The characteristic properties of medieval warfare, notably heavy cavalry and siege engines such as the trebuchet were first introduced in Late Antiquity."
"The main division within the ancient period is at the beginning Iron Age with the introduction of cavalry (resulting in the decline of chariot warfare), of naval warfare (Sea Peoples), and the development of an industry based on ferrous metallurgy."
"The first military power to profit from these innovations was the Neo-Assyrian Empire..."
"...achieved a hitherto unseen extent of centralized control, the first 'world power' to extend over the entire Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia, the Levant and Egypt)."
"...the development of an industry based on ferrous metallurgy which allowed for the mass production of metal weapons and thus the equipment of large standing armies."