Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World
Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia, considered the world's most ancient empires, were largely responsible for raising the world's first armies. These ancient warriors received instruction in the use of the bow, spear and sword, as well as combat from horseback.
Weapon Varieties
Though the spear and sword remain the most commonly referenced weapons from the ancient world, the bow, axe, lance and club are equally old.
Spear Techniques
The primary function of the spear is to thrust and quickly penetrate an opponent's defenses. Therefore, fighting techniques of the spear revolved around repeated frontal and side thrusts, usually from behind the protection of a shield. Offensive spear stances would expose the point of the spear directly at the combatant, while defensive stances place the "flat" of the spear shaft toward incoming attacks.
Sword Techniques
Traditional sword training emphasized cuts instead of "pierce" attacks, delivered by overhead, outside and inside body cuts targeting an opponent's vital areas. Sword blocks were traditionally designed to protect these same areas by diverting or absorbing incoming blows with the "flat" of the blade.
Bow Techniques
In the ancient world, a combination of bow-and-arrow attacks were utilized simultaneously. Generally this involved a row or more of archers loading and firing their arrows on the bulk of enemy combatants. The first row would typically step aside and reload its bows while the second would fire.
Calvary Techniques
With the invention of calvary, or horse-mounted soldiers, a new method was discovered for routing the enemy. Used most popularly by Alexander the Great, who would flank his enemies with regiments of light calvary, the technique became popular in quickly dispatching units of archers.
Seige Warfare
Generally utilizing mechanized tools or instruments of war, seige weapons in the ancient world included catapults, ballistae and trebuchet that would launch heavy objects at enemy armies or fortifications. Later, the battering ram became an efficient way of leveling fortified gates and doors.
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