On this USA Memorial Day, I was thinking not only of modern day sacrifices of our soldiers that protect our freedom, and freedom of those around the world; but I was thinking of the ancient military losses. The fighting in the ancient world was much closer, traditionally hand to hand unless it was arrows raining from the sky.
Naturally, each war brought with it new military developments, largely out of necessity. True then and still true today. The lost personnel in just about every war helped to drive these advancements in weapons so it might save more lives the next time…and of course, win the day for their side (whoever it was). It also was an effort to level the field between larger armies and smaller armies.
A prime example of the level field concept through development was the battle of Marathon waged by Persia and Greece in 490 BCE. One key element to the success of the Greek forces was their heavy armor. Other tactical moves certainly added to that advantage, such as terrain and strategic movement. But the profound difference in armor, distinctly favoring the Greeks, was the great leveler of numbers. I go through this in a unique way in my new book. I look forward to feedback when it is released to the public.
Do you have any thoughts about either modern day or ancient warfare?