Friday, June 12, 2009

anciant isreal weapons



War was part of life in ancient Israel, though the way it was waged changed drastically in the time between 1300-586BC. At first the soldiers were voluntary militia, then later an organized and disciplined army. Finally they were a desperate, defensive force against the Roman invaders. See BIBLE TOP TEN: WARRIORS for the Bible's most valiant soldiers.
WHERE
Unfortunately for Israel it was in a strategic position, straddling major trade routes and wedged between two great empires. So it often became a battlefield when foreign troops passed through on their way to somewhere else....
WHEN
From the settlement/invasion of Canaan in about 14th century BC, until devastation and exile in 586BC.
BIBLE QUOTES
Ecclesiastes 3.1-8. 'For everything there is a season....... a time for war, and a time for peace.'

ancient roman weapons


One of the most powerful empires of the ancient world was the Roman Empire. The foundation of the Roman Empire includes courage, duty and honor was based on its strong military power. Roman military regime was one of the strongest military powers in the ancient world because of the superior weapons and also because of their war tactics. The Roman army was open-minded in adopting the war tactics and also the weapons of their enemies if they could be benefited from it. A sword and a spear were the main weapons of a Roman soldier.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

african weapons


The Hunga Munga is an African tribal weapon that is way ahead of its time. It is a handheld weapon and contains a metal pointed blade with a curved back section and separate spike near the handle. This weapon was used in fighting between African tribes and was often times throw in a rotating motion causing deep wounds and even death. Its variation of blades allowed it to be used as more then a weapon. It was used as a tool in farming and even in building structures. It was a great all around tool and has been found all throughout Africa. Today you may have seen the Hunga Munga in the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy uses it once in a while to fight off evil demons that she faces.

Ancient egyptian weapons


The Old Kingdom had soldiers equipped with a great variety of weapons: shields, spears, cudgels, maces, daggers, bows and arrows. Quivers and battle axes came into use before the second Intermediary Period, which was a time of revolution in the Egyptian martial arts. The earliest metal arrowheads date from the 11th dynasty (ca.2000 BCE), made of copper hardened by hammering. The Old Kingdom had soldiers equipped with a great variety of weapons: shields, spears, cudgels, maces, daggers, bows and arrows. Quivers and battle axes came into use before the second Intermediary Period, which was a time of revolution in the Egyptian martial arts. The earliest metal arrowheads date from the 11th dynasty (ca.2000 BCE), made of copper hardened by hammering.

Ancient indian weapons


India is one of the oldest civilizations on earth, going back more than 7,000 years. Although divided from the rest of Asia by the Himalayan mountains, India has for most of its history been fighting numerous and violent wars among itself. During its long history, there could be anywhere from 16 to more than a hundred kingdoms, all fighting each other, making and breaking alliances. In the harsh deserts to the northwest were the fierce Rajput (literally sons of kings) kingdoms, who fought on horseback and camelback. In central India were mighty kingdoms descended from the Aryan invaders who invaded India around 1500 BC. In the jungles to the south were other large and formidable kingdoms, more ancient than the Aryan ones, the original inhabitants of India. In the Deccan Plateau, where the Kingdoms of the north and the south met, were other smaller nations, but with some of the fiercest fighters on the subcontinent. To the east were the kingdoms of Bengal and Assam, to the north was the feared kingdom of Nepal.

ANCIENT GREEK WEAPONS


Of course, the spear was only one of the ancient Greek weapons. Another interesting weapon was the ballista, which was a powerful ancient crossbow type weapon. While not used by the hoplites in battle, the ballista was still an important part of combat in Greece. Historians believe that the ballista was used as a siege weapon, when attacking forts or other installations in areas where foot soldiers could not tread.
Ancient Greeks also wielded a number of different swords, knives and other blades, but in battle, the spear was still seen as the most valuable weapon that a soldier could use. Hoplites often carried a short sword at their side, but the spear, along with the shield that they carried, was the primary form of weapon used in Greek wars.

ancient weapons in china


Dao is the most widely used weapon, in part due to the fact that it is generic term given to many different weapons. It is usually referred as the first of the "eighteen kinds of weapons." Most weapons that have blades and are used to slice, cut, hack, and chop are considered to be dao. It can be short, in which case the blade is attached to a handle. It can also be long, in which case the blade is attached to a long shaft. Some weapons, such as broadswords, are still considered dao, even though their English names suggest otherwise.Dao was first used in China during its bronze age. During and after the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771 BC), it was briefly replaced by bronze jian (sword), which is easier to wield in combat. During the seven years of turmoil which resulted in the end of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC) and the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), the importance of cavalry increased dramatically and jian, used primarily to stab, was no longer adequate. During that time, long dao, which has a one sided blade attached to a long shaft, was popularized. Short dao, or the broadsword, was also frequently seen among infantry. Dao remained in use in Chinese armies until the twentieth century.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

MESOPATAMIA WEAPONS


An ancient region of southwest Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq. Probably settled before 5000 B.C., the area was the home of numerous early civilizations, including Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia, and Assyria. It declined in importance after Mongol invaders destroyed its extensive irrigation system in A.D. 1258

Monday, June 8, 2009

MEsopatania weapons

: The Assyrians also lived in the land between two rivers. Their home was in northern Mesopotamia towards the mountains. They were famous traders. Their donkeys and caravans were known throughout the Mesopotamian area. Their religion was similar to that of Sumer and Babylon. They worshiped many of the same gods. But they had their own language and their own lifestyle.