08-15-2006, 08:04 PM
If I recall correctly, Drews actually argued that it was infantry in open order, like chariot runners, who ended the use of the battle chariot.
Closed order formations make great archery targets, by the way. If you look at the arms of the Sumerians and Egyptian infantry (basically largish shield and spear) these are often used in close order - that is certainly what is shown in Mesopotamian works like the Vulture Stele. So it would seem that close order formations may have resisted chariots passing through them, but also made targets which is was impossible to miss, even firing from a bouncing chariot.
Closed order formations make great archery targets, by the way. If you look at the arms of the Sumerians and Egyptian infantry (basically largish shield and spear) these are often used in close order - that is certainly what is shown in Mesopotamian works like the Vulture Stele. So it would seem that close order formations may have resisted chariots passing through them, but also made targets which is was impossible to miss, even firing from a bouncing chariot.
Felix Wang
