Ancient Warfare

War was fought for several reasons in the history. Blood was spattered, kingdoms were destroyed, and peoples were slaughtered. Some battle plays a significant role in the history and are often remembered throughout the history. Some battle created a new legends that were appraised by generations. Some of the efficient military tactics, originated in the Ancient battlefield are still followed.

Warfare is generally understood to be the controlled and systematic waging of armed conflict between sovereign nations or states, using military might and strategy, until one opponent is defeated on the field or sues for peace in the face of inevitable destruction and greater loss of human life.

Ancient Egypt is considered to be one of the most peaceful of ancient civilizations. They did not have a proper army until the invasion of the Hyksos during their 15th Dynasty!

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) was an ancient Greek war fought by Athens and its empire against the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta. Historians have traditionally divided the war into three phases.

Many characteristics of modern weapons can be traced back to the implements of old.

Athens and Sparta, both powerful Greek city-states, had fought as allies in the Greco-Persian Wars between 499 and 449 B.C. In the wake of the Persian retreat, however, Athens grew more powerful and tensions rose, escalating into nearly three decades of war. Sparta emerged victorious, while the constant fighting left Athens bankrupt, exhausted and demoralized.

The word 'war' comes to English by the old High German language word 'Werran' (to confuse or to cause confusion) through the Old English 'Werre' (meaning the same), and is a state of open and usually declared armed conflict between political entities such as sovereign states or between rival political or social factions within the same state.

It is clear that the Egyptians did posses the means to conduct siege warfare, though in reality, like other powers in the region such as the Assyrian, they tried to avoid this type of battle where possible. They preferred, rather, to force a military decision on the battlefield.

Sieges are an unavoidable part of warfare, as outnumbered forces are much more likely to be able to defend themselves from a fortified position. However, without proper supplies or adequate weaponry, the soldiers, as well as the civilians, can be slowly destroyed by starvation and disease.

Get the facts on seven of the most prolonged standoffs in military history.

Warfare occurred throughout the history of ancient Greece, from the Greek Dark Ages on.