SV: Renfrew and IE Overlords

[Lars Martin Fosse]

Vidhyanath Rao [SMTP:rao.3 at osu.edu] skrev 18. januar 2000 11:31:

> What is ``shock'' warfare?

> 2nd millennium BCE chariots, as far as we know, were extremely light.
> Given the size of horses in use then (ponies by modern standards) and
> the requirement of quick acceleration, they could not have been
> otherwise. It would not possible to use them except as mobile archery
> platforms or personal transport (more like a motor cycle than a pick-up
> truck).

> Much latter, Assyrians and Persians used much heavier vehicles to drive
> through opposing ranks. But, firstly, they had knives affixed to their
> axle, and any effect they had came from this. Secondly, they did not
> turn very fast. This kind of ``chariot'' would not be any improvement
> over the straddle cars and such in use in ANE by 2300 BCE.

Those members of the list who would like a demonstration, might want to blow
the dust off their Anabasis. Xenophon gives a description of the Persian army
deploying such weaponry in the battle where the Persian prince the Greeks are
working for get killed.

I haven't got time to find out exactly where in the text.

Another lively description of chariots in use is given in Caesars Gallic Wars,
book on the invasion of Britain.

Lars Martin Fosse

Dr. art. Lars Martin Fosse
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