Slide 1 Development of Warfare in Ancient Times Major Carlos Rascon.

Development of Warfare in Development of Warfare in Ancient TimesAncient Times

Major Carlos RasconMajor Carlos Rascon

IntroductionIntroduction

Early man were essential hunter gatherers. Early man were essential hunter gatherers. Their weapons were used to hunt and defend Their weapons were used to hunt and defend local groups. Since the survival of the tribe local groups. Since the survival of the tribe was based on their ability to gather enough was based on their ability to gather enough food; tribes depended on the men, they could food; tribes depended on the men, they could not afford to be in warfare. This presentation not afford to be in warfare. This presentation traces the development of warfare from early traces the development of warfare from early man to the Greeks. It is also important to man to the Greeks. It is also important to note that even though this presentation note that even though this presentation focuses on the Western World, warfare also focuses on the Western World, warfare also developing in Eastern World.developing in Eastern World.

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Know and trace the evolution of weapons from Know and trace the evolution of weapons from early man to the Assyrian Iron Age.early man to the Assyrian Iron Age.

Know and describe the Assyrian military system, to Know and describe the Assyrian military system, to include organization, siege tactics, and the use of include organization, siege tactics, and the use of terror.terror.

Know and describe the Persian military system.Know and describe the Persian military system. Know and describe the Greek military system to Know and describe the Greek military system to

include; organization, phalanx and hoplites.include; organization, phalanx and hoplites. Be able to describe the battle at Marathon.Be able to describe the battle at Marathon.

SourcesSources

Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, pp. 1- 21pp. 1- 21

http://www.http://www.betnahrainbetnahrain.org/Gallery/Ancient_Assyrian_Art/.org/Gallery/Ancient_Assyrian_Art/assyriaassyria_art_1._art_1.htmhtm

http://www.hekmats.com/persianempire.htmhttp://www.hekmats.com/persianempire.htm

Trends in Early WarfareTrends in Early Warfare

Introduction of military transportIntroduction of military transport Introduction and decline of the chariotIntroduction and decline of the chariot Increased use of cavalryIncreased use of cavalry Introduction to iron and steelIntroduction to iron and steel

Type of WeaponsType of Weapons

Early weapons were either hand held or Early weapons were either hand held or projected through the air.projected through the air.

Classified as either shock or missile Classified as either shock or missile weapons.weapons.

Shock weapons include; clubs which evolved Shock weapons include; clubs which evolved into axes, pikes, spears and sword.into axes, pikes, spears and sword.

Missile weapons include; rocks which Missile weapons include; rocks which evolved into darts, javelins, arrows and sling.evolved into darts, javelins, arrows and sling.

Initially weapons were made from rocks and Initially weapons were made from rocks and stones, later replaced by bronze then iron.stones, later replaced by bronze then iron.

Protective ArmorProtective Armor

The most important form of armor was the The most important form of armor was the shield.shield.

Made of wood or leather hide stretched over Made of wood or leather hide stretched over a wooden frame.a wooden frame.

Armor protected most vulnerable parts of the Armor protected most vulnerable parts of the body; head, neck, torso and legs.body; head, neck, torso and legs.

Armor improved during the Bronze Age with Armor improved during the Bronze Age with reinforced steel.reinforced steel.

Tiglath-Pilesar 3Tiglath-Pilesar 3rdrd (745-727 B.C.) (745-727 B.C.)

He established the most efficient military system at He established the most efficient military system at that time.that time.

He also established a militia organization and built He also established a militia organization and built the state around a standing army.the state around a standing army.

Principal business of the Assyrian nation became Principal business of the Assyrian nation became war.war.

Had a semi military bureaucracy that carried out the Had a semi military bureaucracy that carried out the function of government at home and in conquered function of government at home and in conquered regions.regions.

Maintained improvements of weapons and training Maintained improvements of weapons and training of his soldiers in the use of arms.of his soldiers in the use of arms.

Assyrian ArmyAssyrian Army

Was the first truly military society in history.Was the first truly military society in history.First to recognize the advantage of iron over First to recognize the advantage of iron over

bronze.bronze.As early as 1000 B.C. their militia armies had As early as 1000 B.C. their militia armies had

been equipped with weapons, chariots and been equipped with weapons, chariots and armor made of iron.armor made of iron.

Army comprised of spearmen, archers, Army comprised of spearmen, archers, cavalry, chariots and siege crafts.cavalry, chariots and siege crafts.

Assyrian ArmyAssyrian Army

Assyrian SpearmenAssyrian Spearmen

The majority of the The majority of the Army was composed of Army was composed of spearmen.spearmen.

Assyrian ArchersAssyrian Archers

Archers were highly organized Archers were highly organized than other nations.than other nations.

Their bows were stronger and Their bows were stronger and arrows were tipped with iron.arrows were tipped with iron.

They were very proficient on the They were very proficient on the battle field.battle field.

Assyrian ChariotsAssyrian Chariots

Main striking force of Main striking force of the army.the army.

Initial attack; smashed Initial attack; smashed into enemy’s infantry into enemy’s infantry lineslines

Manned by archers, Manned by archers, drivers and shield-drivers and shield-bearers whose armor bearers whose armor was made of metal was made of metal plates on a tunic.plates on a tunic.

Assyrian CavalryAssyrian Cavalry

Smallest element of the Smallest element of the army.army.

Consisted of Consisted of noblemen.noblemen.

Were the best trained Were the best trained and equipped. and equipped.

FortificationsFortifications

Art of fortification was developed in the Middle East before Art of fortification was developed in the Middle East before 1000B.C.1000B.C.

Great walls of cities were almost invulnerable to the means Great walls of cities were almost invulnerable to the means of attack.of attack.

Very economicVery economic- fewer troops to man walls- fewer troops to man walls

- enemies limited technology of siege - enemies limited technology of siege tactics.tactics. Attacking armies could not afford the time and manpower it Attacking armies could not afford the time and manpower it

took to conquer fortified cities.took to conquer fortified cities.

Assyrian Siege CraftsAssyrian Siege Crafts

Assyrian greatly improved the techniques of siege Assyrian greatly improved the techniques of siege crafts and attack of fortifications.crafts and attack of fortifications.

Siege crafts accompanied the army.Siege crafts accompanied the army. These included large wooden towers covered with These included large wooden towers covered with

dampened leather hides and heavy battering rams.dampened leather hides and heavy battering rams. Siege craft tactics were developed by the Siege craft tactics were developed by the

Sumerians.Sumerians. Video 10 min -Siege Tactics (Ballista & Catapult)Video 10 min -Siege Tactics (Ballista & Catapult)

Terror TacticsTerror Tactics

This was another factor that contributed to This was another factor that contributed to the Assyrian success.the Assyrian success.

Involved total war; killing every man, woman Involved total war; killing every man, woman and child in captured cities.and child in captured cities.

They also enslaved entire populations They also enslaved entire populations conquered.conquered.

PersiansPersians

Present day Iranians. Present day Iranians. Empire run by MonarchyEmpire run by MonarchyEvolved on wide open plainsEvolved on wide open plains

– Heavy use of cavalry (initially chariots) and Heavy use of cavalry (initially chariots) and light infantry.light infantry.

– Heavy use of Composite bow (300M range) Heavy use of Composite bow (300M range) Coordinated attack with cavalry and Coordinated attack with cavalry and

bowmen.bowmen.Employed Assyrian warfare tactics.Employed Assyrian warfare tactics.

Map of PersiaMap of Persia

Persian ArchersPersian Archers

Large portion of the Large portion of the army consisted of army consisted of bowmen.bowmen.

Archers were also Archers were also mounted on horse mounted on horse back.back.

Persian Light InfantrymanPersian Light Infantryman

Persian Heavy InfantryPersian Heavy Infantry

Persian CavalryPersian Cavalry

Persians understood Persians understood the power of a fast the power of a fast cavalry.cavalry.

Gave more room for Gave more room for tactical maneuvers.tactical maneuvers.

Rarely used armor.Rarely used armor. Never able to defeat a Never able to defeat a

well organized phalanx.well organized phalanx.

GreeksGreeks

Made up of individual city states.Made up of individual city states.Each state had it’s own culture, religion and Each state had it’s own culture, religion and

militia.militia.Often fought amongst themselves.Often fought amongst themselves.Joined forces to defeat enemies.Joined forces to defeat enemies.Essentially did not have a professional army Essentially did not have a professional army

except for the Spartans.except for the Spartans.Army made up of citizens.Army made up of citizens.Used the phalanx formation in battle.Used the phalanx formation in battle.

GREECE

Greek HopliteGreek Hoplite

Heavy infantry manHeavy infantry man Fought in the phalanxFought in the phalanx Wore a helmet and Wore a helmet and

body armor for body armor for protection.protection.

Armed with a Armed with a shield( hoplon), spear shield( hoplon), spear and a sword.and a sword.

Spartan HopliteSpartan Hoplite

Heavily armed infantry Heavily armed infantry menmen

Furnished their own Furnished their own armor.armor.

Wore helmets with Wore helmets with horse hair crests horse hair crests (made them look taller (made them look taller and fiercer).and fiercer).

Best trained of all Best trained of all Greek hoplites.Greek hoplites.

Greek PhalanxGreek Phalanx

Usually 4-50 rows deepUsually 4-50 rows deepOnly the front ranks foughtOnly the front ranks foughtMiddle ranks used spears; rear ranks acted Middle ranks used spears; rear ranks acted

as replacements.as replacements.Formation drifted to the right due to shield on Formation drifted to the right due to shield on

the left side.the left side.Unable to maneuver or sub divide formation.Unable to maneuver or sub divide formation.

Greek PhalanxGreek Phalanx

MarathonMarathon

Darius had two routes to invade Greece; land Darius had two routes to invade Greece; land and sea.and sea.

In 492 B.C. his land campaign failed due to In 492 B.C. his land campaign failed due to bad weather (his fleet was destroyed).bad weather (his fleet was destroyed).

Second attempt launched two years later, Second attempt launched two years later, resulted in the battle at Marathon.resulted in the battle at Marathon.

Initial Plan to Invade GreeceInitial Plan to Invade Greece

Marathon, 490 B.C.Marathon, 490 B.C.

Persian fleet conveying a force of infantry Persian fleet conveying a force of infantry and cavalry across the Aegean Sea. and cavalry across the Aegean Sea.

Captured most of islands along the route.Captured most of islands along the route.Met heavy resistance at Eritrea.Met heavy resistance at Eritrea.Attack on Eritrea was a retaliation for Attack on Eritrea was a retaliation for

assisting Athens in the Ionian rebellion.assisting Athens in the Ionian rebellion.Persians sailed from Eritrea to Marathon Persians sailed from Eritrea to Marathon

Bay, five miles from Athens.Bay, five miles from Athens.

22ndnd Plan for Invasion of Greece Plan for Invasion of Greece

MarathonMarathon

Battle at MarathonBattle at Marathon

Amphibious landing aimed at drawing forces Amphibious landing aimed at drawing forces from Athens.from Athens.

Persians landed on undefended beaches.Persians landed on undefended beaches.Upon learning of Persian landing, Athens Upon learning of Persian landing, Athens

sends a small force led by Miltiades.sends a small force led by Miltiades.They occupied the Valley of Varana; out They occupied the Valley of Varana; out

numbered three to one.numbered three to one.Sent for help from Spartans; who were Sent for help from Spartans; who were

unwilling to leave (religious, new moon).unwilling to leave (religious, new moon).

Battle at MarathonBattle at Marathon

Miltiades understanding the Persians’ warfare Miltiades understanding the Persians’ warfare weakened the centre of his phalanx and weakened the centre of his phalanx and strengthened his flanks.strengthened his flanks.

He attacked, surprising the Persians.He attacked, surprising the Persians. Light infantry of the Persians crushed by Greek Light infantry of the Persians crushed by Greek

hoplites on the flanks.hoplites on the flanks. Greek center fell; they retreated into the valley.Greek center fell; they retreated into the valley. Persians perused and their lines extended.Persians perused and their lines extended. Greek flanks enveloped causing the Persians to Greek flanks enveloped causing the Persians to

retreat.retreat.

MarathonMarathon

Greeks pushed the Greeks pushed the Persians back to the Persians back to the beachhead.beachhead.

They captured seven They captured seven Persian ships.Persian ships.

The surviving Persians The surviving Persians fled on the remaining fled on the remaining ships.ships.

Persian casualties- Persian casualties- 6400, Greek - 1926400, Greek - 192

SummarySummary

Early weapons are classified into two categories; shock and Early weapons are classified into two categories; shock and missile.missile.

Evolution of weapons from rocks to iron and bronze.Evolution of weapons from rocks to iron and bronze. Protective armor; from wood and hide to bronze and iron.Protective armor; from wood and hide to bronze and iron. The Assyrian Army; first to employ all elements of their The Assyrian Army; first to employ all elements of their

military on the battle field.military on the battle field. The Persian and Greek Army structure; phalanx, hoplite, The Persian and Greek Army structure; phalanx, hoplite,

cavalry, light and heavy infantry.cavalry, light and heavy infantry. The battle of Marathon; Darius’s plans, Miltiades knowledge The battle of Marathon; Darius’s plans, Miltiades knowledge

of Persian warfare.of Persian warfare.

Questions?Questions?

Slide 1 Development of Warfare in Ancient Times Major Carlos Rascon.

Documents

Transcript of Slide 1 Development of Warfare in Ancient Times Major Carlos Rascon.