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weapons
Human beings have probably always killed each other. Early people used clubs, axes and spears. They also used bows and arrows. (Cave paintings from Spain dating from 10,000 to 5,000 BC show men fighting with bows). -
weapons
The Sumerians lived in what is now Iraq. By 3,500 BC they had created a highly civilised society. The Sumerians fought with chariots pulled by donkeys. They also used bows and arrows. They also fought with spears, axes and clubs. Although they did not wear armour soldiers did wear leather jackets studded with bronze, which gave them some protection and they wore copper helmets and carried rectangular shields. -
weapons
Egyptian soldiers went into battle protected only by wooden or leather shields. They fought with spears, swords, axes, daggers and clubs or maces. They also used slings and bows and arrows. (In skilled hands a sling is a very accurate and effective weapon). In ancient Egypt most men fought on foot but after about 1,700 BC the army also had chariots. Each chariot carried two men, one to drive and one to shoot arrows. (In ancient Egypt horses were mainly used for war. Donkeys were used as pack an -
weapons
The industrial revolution transformed warfare. Railways meant armies could be transported much faster than before. The telegraph meant that messages could also be transmitted much faster. At the beginning of the 19th century Sir William Congreve (1772-1828) developed the Congreve rocket. These rockets were used at Copenhagen in 1807 and they set most of the town on fire. However rockets lacked both range and accuracy and after the Napoleonic Wars they fell from favour. Meanwhile in 1807 a Scot -
weapons
The Assyrians lived in what is now Iraq. Between 900 BC and 612 BC they created a great empire in the Middle East. The Assyrians were the first people to use only iron weapons, which were superior to bronze ones. They used a combination of chariots, cavalry and infantry. Each chariot carried a crew of 3, a driver, an archer and a shield bearer. Cavalry fought with bows and spears. Infantry fought with bows, spears, swords and slings. The Assyrians also equipped their soldiers with sturdy boots -
weapons
A wooden club is a surprisingly effective weapon. As early as 6,000 BC African cave paintings show people armed with clubs. Much later wooden clubs were still used in Africa and the Pacific. Early axes were made of wood and stone. (Like the tomahawk of the Native Americans). However the sword was not a practical weapon until people had become skilled in making things from metal. -
weapons
n Australia Aborigines hurled large boomerangs at their enemies. However war boomerangs were not designed to come back. Aborigines also fought with spears. To protect themselves they carried a curved stick, which was held in the centre. It was used to parry spears and boomerangs. -
weapons
The Normans built wooden forts called motte and bailey castles. An artificial mound of earth was created, called a motte and the living quarters were built on top. Below was a walled yard called a bailey where food and animals were stored. The whole thing was sometimes protected by a moat. However these early wooden forts were vulnerable to fire and later castles were built of stone. In the centre was a stone tower called a keep where the inhabitants lived. Surrounding it was a curtain wall. Ho
