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Weapons and Warfare in the Ancient World
A survey of ancient weapons and tactics, from early copper and bronze spears to iron blades, siege artillery and the standardised equipment of Roman soldiers.
Babylon and Assyria
Warfare and Weapons
Chariots, phalanxes, sieges and the equipment of ancient armies.
Ancient Armor from Leather to Lorica
How ancient shields, helmets and body armour developed, from hide, linen and bronze plates to Greek cuirasses, Roman mail and segmented plate.
Roman Marching Camps and Army Logistics
How Roman legions dug and fortified a camp at the end of each day's march, and how grain, water, pack animals and supply lines kept armies fed and moving.
Siege Engines: Rams, Towers and Mines
How ancient armies broke city walls with battering rams, siege towers, ramps and tunnels, with Assyrian and Roman examples, and how defenders replied.
The Composite Bow
How craftsmen laminated wood, horn and sinew into a compact, powerful bow, and how it spread among charioteers, Near Eastern armies and steppe archers.
The Greek Hoplite Phalanx
What Greek hoplites wore and carried, how citizen soldiers formed the phalanx, how a clash of spear lines worked, and the debates over how it fought.
War Chariots from Sumer to Egypt
How Sumerian battle wagons gave way to light spoked-wheel chariots, how they were built and crewed, and how they were used at Kadesh and across the Near East.
War Elephants in Ancient Battles
How elephants were captured, trained and used in war, from Indian armies and Alexander to Hellenistic kings, Pyrrhus, Hannibal and Roman countermeasures.
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