Existing comment:
This long sign on the right is interesting. It was labeled:
Chart of the relative importance of the weapons of land warfare on the battlefields of the world. "Weapons change but man who uses them changes not at all." General George S Patton Jr.
It shows a timeline of various weapons. Presuming I'm reading it correctly ... Back in 400 BC, it shows weapons including: sling, bow and arrow, javelin and throwing spear, spear, axe and club, sword, and dagger.
Around Christ's time, Macedonians adopt long infantry pikes and cavalry lances.
Around 100 AD, three changes: machines for throwing missiles (e.g. catapults) start coming around, the Roman short sword and javelin conquer the western world, and the javelin gives the Roman legion fire power.
Around 500 AD, the stirrup is invented. Around then, the horse archer dominates Asia.
Around 900 AD, the battle axe and mace can't penetrate armor.
Around 1100 AD, cavalry with the lance rules the European battlefield and the crossbow is perfected.
Around 1300 AD, gunpowder comes in. Also, the English long bow comes into play.
Around 1500 AD, the pike gradually disappears. The sword becomes the symbol of command.
Around 1700 AD, artillery starts to come into play. It is the age of the infantry musket.
Around 1900 AD, the internal combustion engine comes in.
In the 1900's, you have missiles, bombs, grenades, machine guns, rifle and submachine guns, pistols.
As the century progresses, you have nuclear weapons and chemical agents. |