Greek and Near Eastern warfare 3000 to 301: the development and perfection of combined arms

This dissertation traces the developments in battlefield tactics from the early Mesopotamian societies through to the battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE. The primary concern is an analysis of the system of combined arms and its gradual implementation in the Near East and Greece. This thesis will show that armies using combined arms generally proved to be more successful than those that did not. Moreover the use of combined arms was one of the underlying causes for the many victories of the most successful conquest societies in this period, principally Neo-Assyria and Macedon. Conversely the Persian Empire was created through the use of overwhelming resources but was defeated precisely because of its minimal use of combined arms. Overall this thesis will provide a thorough examination of the history of combined arms in ancient warfare and a detailed analysis of its benefits.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Greek and Roman Studies

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Wrightson, Graham Charles Liquorish

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Heckel, Waldemar

• Ancient
• Military

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26321

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/346