Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat: Does Fortune Actually Favor the Bold?
The Latin phrase fortis Fortuna adiuvat – which translates to “fortune favors the bold” or “fortune favors the brave” – has a long and storied…
From the Scythians to Russia: The Use of Scorched Earth Tactics in War
Scorched earth tactics have been used nearly as long as armies have conducted military campaigns. While the practice is less common in modern times, it…
Legendary Battles That Would Make Outstanding Films
War movies have been popular for as long as films have existed. As a result, some of the more popular subjects have been completely exhausted.…
Lethal Weapons: 5 of the Most Effective Man-Killing Tools in History
Weapons are simply an extension of the capabilities of the human body. In practice, though, they have been extremely expensive and complex, with quite literally…
These 4 Weapons Created For Combat Were Cheap But Ingenious Game Changers
Sometimes, no matter how tactically adept a military force may be, if an opponent suddenly shows up with a particularly advanced or capable weapon, it…
The Ancient Greek Army of Same-Sex Lovers who helped defeat the Spartans
The ancient Greek city of Thebes was surprisingly relaxed about gay relationships, even catching the attention of famous Greek philosopher Plato, who noted that opinions…
Berserkers: Soldiers who fought in a trance and gave us the modern-day word for “Berserk”
Old Norse literature details stories of wild soldiers who fought battles in a trancelike state, feeling neither pain nor fear and not stopping until, they,…
16th Century Rocket Cats: Brilliant Warfare Tactic Or Terrible Idea?
The Medieval era is known for its unique takes on just about everything. From strange hygiene habits to medical practices, it was certainly a different…
Persian Immortals: The Elite Army Of The Achaemenid Empire
The Achaemenid Empire, also known as the First Persian Empire, was founded by Cyrus II in 550 B.C. It controlled a large swath of western…
Athenian Hoplites: An Overlooked Part Of Athens’ Success In The Ancient World
Ancient warfare has been heavily analyzed by scholars and has made waves in movies such as 300. However, popular culture and scholarly studies tend to…
How Sling Weaponry Revolutionized Warfare In The Ancient World
For most, the sling is known as the weapon of choice for cartoon troublemaker Bart Simpson. However, it used to be a widely used weapon…
Did The Trojan War Really Happen? Here’s What We Know
The Trojan War remains one of the greatest stories from ancient times. Filled with strong warriors, heroes, epic battles, divine intervention, and a giant wooden…