Development of Warfare in Ancient Times

1. Development of Warfare in Ancient Times Major Carlos Rascon

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

3. Learning Objectives • Know and trace the evolution of weapons from early man to the Assyrian Iron Age. • Know and describe the Assyrian military system, to include organization, siege tactics, and the use of terror. • Know and describe the Persian military system. • Know and describe the Greek military system to include; organization, phalanx and hoplites. • Be able to describe the battle at Marathon.

4. Sources • Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, pp. 1- 21 • http://www.betnahrain.org/Gallery/Ancient_Assyrian_Art/assyria_art_1.htm • http://www.hekmats.com/persianempire.htm

5. Trends in Early Warfare • Introduction of military transport • Introduction and decline of the chariot • Increased use of cavalry • Introduction to iron and steel

6. Type of Weapons • Early weapons were either hand held or projected through the air. • Classified as either shock or missile weapons. • Shock weapons include; clubs which evolved into axes, pikes, spears and sword. • Missile weapons include; rocks which evolved into darts, javelins, arrows and sling. • Initially weapons were made from rocks and stones, later replaced by bronze then iron.

7. Protective Armor • The most important form of armor was the shield. • Made of wood or leather hide stretched over a wooden frame. • Armor protected most vulnerable parts of the body; head, neck, torso and legs. • Armor improved during the Bronze Age with reinforced steel.

8. Tiglath-Pilesar 3rd (745-727 B.C.) • He established the most efficient military system at that time. • He also established a militia organization and built the state around a standing army. • Principal business of the Assyrian nation became war. • Had a semi military bureaucracy that carried out the function of government at home and in conquered regions. • Maintained improvements of weapons and training of his soldiers in the use of arms.

10. Assyrian Army • Was the first truly military society in history. • First to recognize the advantage of iron over bronze. • As early as 1000 B.C. their militia armies had been equipped with weapons, chariots and armor made of iron. • Army comprised of spearmen, archers, cavalry, chariots and siege crafts.

11. Assyrian Army

12. Assyrian Spearmen • The majority of the Army was composed of spearmen.

13. Assyrian Archers • Archers were highly organized than other nations. • Their bows were stronger and arrows were tipped with iron. • They were very proficient on the battle field.

14. Assyrian Chariots • Main striking force of the army. • Initial attack; smashed into enemy’s infantry lines • Manned by archers, drivers and shield-bearers whose armor was made of metal plates on a tunic.

15. Assyrian Cavalry • Smallest element of the army. • Consisted of noblemen. • Were the best trained and equipped.

16. Fortifications • Art of fortification was developed in the Middle East before 1000B.C. • Great walls of cities were almost invulnerable to the means of attack. • Very economic - fewer troops to man walls - enemies limited technology of siege tactics. • Attacking armies could not afford the time and manpower it took to conquer fortified cities.

17. Assyrian Siege Crafts • Assyrian greatly improved the techniques of siege crafts and attack of fortifications. • Siege crafts accompanied the army. • These included large wooden towers covered with dampened leather hides and heavy battering rams. • Siege craft tactics were developed by the Sumerians. • Video 10 min -Siege Tactics (Ballista & Catapult)

19. Terror Tactics • This was another factor that contributed to the Assyrian success. • Involved total war; killing every man, woman and child in captured cities. • They also enslaved entire populations conquered.

20. Persians • Present day Iranians. • Empire run by Monarchy • Evolved on wide open plains • Heavy use of cavalry (initially chariots) and light infantry. • Heavy use of Composite bow (300M range) • Coordinated attack with cavalry and bowmen. • Employed Assyrian warfare tactics.

21. Map of Persia

22. Persian Archers • Large portion of the army consisted of bowmen. • Archers were also mounted on horse back.

23. Persian Light Infantryman

24. Persian Heavy Infantry

25. Persian Cavalry • Persians understood the power of a fast cavalry. • Gave more room for tactical maneuvers. • Rarely used armor. • Never able to defeat a well organized phalanx.

26. Greeks • Made up of individual city states. • Each state had it’s own culture, religion and militia. • Often fought amongst themselves. • Joined forces to defeat enemies. • Essentially did not have a professional army except for the Spartans. • Army made up of citizens. • Used the phalanx formation in battle.

27. GREECE

28. Greek Hoplite • Heavy infantry man • Fought in the phalanx • Wore a helmet and body armor for protection. • Armed with a shield( hoplon), spear and a sword.

29. Spartan Hoplite • Heavily armed infantry men • Furnished their own armor. • Wore helmets with horse hair crests (made them look taller and fiercer). • Best trained of all Greek hoplites.

30. Greek Phalanx • Usually 4-50 rows deep • Only the front ranks fought • Middle ranks used spears; rear ranks acted as replacements. • Formation drifted to the right due to shield on the left side. • Unable to maneuver or sub divide formation.

31. Greek Phalanx

32. Marathon • Darius had two routes to invade Greece; land and sea. • In 492 B.C. his land campaign failed due to bad weather (his fleet was destroyed). • Second attempt launched two years later, resulted in the battle at Marathon.

33. Initial Plan to Invade Greece

34. Marathon, 490 B.C. • Persian fleet conveying a force of infantry and cavalry across the Aegean Sea. • Captured most of islands along the route. • Met heavy resistance at Eritrea. • Attack on Eritrea was a retaliation for assisting Athens in the Ionian rebellion. • Persians sailed from Eritrea to Marathon Bay, five miles from Athens.

35. 2nd Plan for Invasion of Greece

36. Marathon

37. Battle at Marathon • Amphibious landing aimed at drawing forces from Athens. • Persians landed on undefended beaches. • Upon learning of Persian landing, Athens sends a small force led by Miltiades. • They occupied the Valley of Varana; out numbered three to one. • Sent for help from Spartans; who were unwilling to leave (religious, new moon).

39. Battle at Marathon • Miltiades understanding the Persians’ warfare weakened the centre of his phalanx and strengthened his flanks. • He attacked, surprising the Persians. • Light infantry of the Persians crushed by Greek hoplites on the flanks. • Greek center fell; they retreated into the valley. • Persians perused and their lines extended. • Greek flanks enveloped causing the Persians to retreat.

41. Marathon • Greeks pushed the Persians back to the beachhead. • They captured seven Persian ships. • The surviving Persians fled on the remaining ships. • Persian casualties- 6400, Greek - 192

42. Summary • Early weapons are classified into two categories; shock and missile. • Evolution of weapons from rocks to iron and bronze. • Protective armor; from wood and hide to bronze and iron. • The Assyrian Army; first to employ all elements of their military on the battle field. • The Persian and Greek Army structure; phalanx, hoplite, cavalry, light and heavy infantry. • The battle of Marathon; Darius’s plans, Miltiades knowledge of Persian warfare.

43. Questions?