09-07-2016, 02:11 PM
Another problem with this topic in general is that its impossible to accurately describe ancient battle if you are not thinking in their mindset. For instance, if you want to understand Roman warfare, you need to think with virtus. One can't try to interpret ancient battles from the mindset of safety, risk aversion, or fear of physical confrontation, which are all hallmarks of modern society (not necessarily a bad thing either, in many ways). In any fight, whether it be fisticuffs at a bar, or in ambush in modern Iraq, or in a pitched battle in Gaul in 52 BC, fear is not something one is supposed to dwell on. Patton was a blustering fool in many ways but he said "My flanks are something for the enemy to worry about, not me." This is a perfect example of the proper mindset for battle, because it means the fighter is going in to win, not to protect themselves.
All military culture is designed around instilling positivity before battle. Men are supposed to get a good night's sleep, they are supposed to be well fed for breakfast. Leaders of all sorts give frequent pep talks to the men, culminating in the famous general's address to the troops. Small unit leaders wouldn't stop encouraging the men, even into battle they would keep it up. And the orders wouldn't be "Be wary when killing the man in front of you, because there are many behind him and to win you need to go through all of them." That's the worst thing a soldier can think about and the worst advice a leader could give. It would be "Kill the man in front of you and those behind him will break when they see their mate slaughtered by your hand! One step to victory!" Not only does this mindset lead to bravery, but in reality it also leads to victory, because when the front rankers are the best fighters, and when they get slaughtered the men behind them are going to be a bit more hesitant to charge forward over their bodies for a taste of "getting it stuck in."
All military culture is designed around instilling positivity before battle. Men are supposed to get a good night's sleep, they are supposed to be well fed for breakfast. Leaders of all sorts give frequent pep talks to the men, culminating in the famous general's address to the troops. Small unit leaders wouldn't stop encouraging the men, even into battle they would keep it up. And the orders wouldn't be "Be wary when killing the man in front of you, because there are many behind him and to win you need to go through all of them." That's the worst thing a soldier can think about and the worst advice a leader could give. It would be "Kill the man in front of you and those behind him will break when they see their mate slaughtered by your hand! One step to victory!" Not only does this mindset lead to bravery, but in reality it also leads to victory, because when the front rankers are the best fighters, and when they get slaughtered the men behind them are going to be a bit more hesitant to charge forward over their bodies for a taste of "getting it stuck in."
