The Devastating Power of Ancient Roman Sieges
Tactically, the purpose of a siege is almost always the same – to take control of a strongly defended position. The reasons for launching one…
The Battle of Leuctra: Crushing the Spartans and the Birth of the Echelon Formation
The echelon formation is a solid staple in the modern military and police world. Fighter jets use this diagonal formation to maintain visibility while maximizing…
Five Facts: The Ancient Wars Between Persia and Greece
The Greeks and the Persians, Leonidas and Xerxes. The wars and their characters have always piqued the interest of historians, and Hollywood has certainly brought…
The Persian Thermopylae: Alexander’s Fight Through the Pass at Persepolis Almost Cost Him His Empire
The Battle of the Persian Gate is not well-known, despite it being almost identical to the Greek stand at Thermopylae, only with reversed sides. A…
“The Battle That Saved The Civilization” – Szigetvár, 1566
The end of summer in the 16th century for Hungary was marked by one of the bloodiest sieges of their history. The Habsburg Monarchy suffered a…
The Men Who Made The Mightiest Military Ever – A Day in the Life of a Roman Legionary
Roman legionaries were among the most ruthlessly efficient soldiers in the ancient world. But even for these highly disciplined and well-equipped men, the armies that…
The Spartans Had Never Surrendered Until The Brutal Battle Which Changed The Course Of The War
It is often said that the Spartan warriors never retreated and never surrendered. They would fight to the death no matter the odds, and were…
Sparta’s Hoplite Warriors: The Most Influential Ancient Military Force
Today, many individuals connect Sparta with a few movies and then dismiss the influential historical city as something of little importance. However, Sparta’s strict military…
When Pirates Kidnapped Julius Caesar He Laughed at Their Ransom Demands and Told Them To Ask for More
Long ago a 25-year-old Roman author, poet, priest, and aristocrat was kidnapped by pirates. Rather than plead for his release, however, he ordered them to…
Legion Vs Phalanx: Two Powerhouse Formations of Ancient Warfare
The organization from Homeric style hero warfare to tightly packed hoplite warfare was world changing. This powerful Hellenic formation allowed the ancient Greeks to hold…
The Battle of Megiddo: The First Recorded Battle Of Military History
The first battle for which we have a clear historical record took place in the Levant in the 15th century BC. Though we know that…
Forged In The Fires Of Battle And Myth: The Mighty Roman Army
1. Mythical Origins Legends tell that the Roman army began with Romulus, the mythical founder of Rome, and his bodyguard of 300 warriors called the…