Today's military tactics have their roots in the deeds of history's super soldiers.
The term super soldier doesn't always refer to Captain America and comic books. Throughout history certain fighting forces have totally dominated the battlefield. New tactics or innovative fighting styles allowed these super soldiers of times gone by to crush their enemies and dominate their world. Generations might pass until necessity and genius brought forth the next chapter in the history of the super soldier. From the pages of military history the tools and tactics of yesterday's super soldiers shape the modern military forces of today.
Chariots of the God-Kings
The chariots of the Hyksos conquered Middle Kingom Egypt.
During the late Bronze Age necessity and innovation combined to open a new chapter in warfare. The God-Kings of Mesopotamia possessed powerful new tools to crush the armies of their rivals. Fast and agile, the horse-drawn chariot quickly became a decisive factor on the battle field.
From Mesopotamia the chariot spread to lands as far away as India and Egypt. Armed with lance and bow, the Hyksos invaded and conquered Egypt. According to Richard Carney of Appalachian State University, the fast chariots of the Hyksos invaders combined with superior armor and weapons led to the complete conquest of the Middle Kingdom by 1764 BCE.
The Egyptians adopted the arms and tactics of the invaders and went on to become the preeminent military power in the Middle East for centuries. Pharaoh's chariots and infantry won battle after battle in Palestine and Syria.
Roman Discipline
The tactics employed by Roman legionaries allowed Rome to conquer most of Europe.
The story of the Roman Empire is the story of the Roman Legions and the way that they fought. Unlike many of the people they conquered, the Roman Army fought with precision and discipline. Tactics and the precise movement of troop formations made the Romans nearly unstoppable.
The Romans standardized weapons, armor and the methods used to train soldiers. The manipular legion, a force of 5,400 soldiers, proved fast, maneuverable and deadly on the battle field. Groups of 180 soldiers lined up in rows three deep to fight. These maniples were arrayed on the field in a checkerboard pattern that allowed the forces to advance and retreat in order.
According to Purdue University, the soldiers advanced in rotating waves which allowed some soldiers to rest as others fought. This rotation made it possible to fight longer and to wear down the less disciplined troops of the enemy. Legionaries used short swords and lances very effectively while their tall shields protected them from the weapons of their enemies.
Deadly Missiles
Mongol horse archers spread fear across Europe and Asia.
The horse soldiers of the Mongolian Steppe struck terror into the hearts of the peoples living in Europe and Asia. Waves of nomadic tribesmen attacked villages and towns. These super soldiers numbered in the hundreds of thousands and they changed the face of their world.
Using lightning-fast attacks on horseback, the Huns moved into Europe, driving the Gothic tribes before them until they reached the Roman Empire. Hunnish horse archers attacked and retreated over and over. Firing arrows from their short compound bows with deadly accuracy, they drove their opponents to despair and exhaustion.
According to the e-Museum at Minnesota State University, the invasion of Europe by the Huns drove the Goths and Vandals into Roman Europe. The influx of those peoples eventually led to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Tags: Roman Empire, super soldiers, battle field, chariots Hyksos, Europe Asia