Many thanks for your sentiments, Theodotos I.Quote:
Originally Posted by Theodotos I
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Many thanks for your sentiments, Theodotos I.Quote:
Originally Posted by Theodotos I
The modern soldier, no doubt.
Today the military complex has all the advantages.
A vast number of fighting techniques from all cultures are available, with 2000 years added perfection.
Nutrition and fitness knowledge are accessible from all parts of the world from the finest experts, in mere seconds.
What did the Greeks know of their far off enemies? What did they know about the Chinese and Indians? Today they have the ability to know almost everything about everything that exists. Computer models and simulations, an enormous logistic and bureaucratic system and of course money, enable them to reach a conclusion of action with a far greater complexity than the ancients could ever dream of.
Soldiers naturally have great variations in ability in a society, modern or ancient, but if we take the best the ancients could come up with against what todays system can come up with, I really don't see much of a contest.
We are talking of fitness not fighting technics..
Well, this has been an interesting discussion. I realize my initial question perhaps wasn’t as specific as it should have been, but I wanted to give people’s opinions some leeway. Naturally, I’m aware of the fact that not all ancient warriors were as musclebound or terrifying as Conan the Barbarian, but the Hebrew Scriptures present us with a list of warriors who could have whipped Conan on his best day.
II Samuel 23:8-12, “These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dod the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gather together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was wear, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philitstine: and the Lord wrought a great victory.”
II Samuel 23:18 “And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and the name among three. Was he not most honorable of three? Therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of apit in time of snow: and he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and slew him with his own spear.”
And if you believe the Greek myths, Achilles could be killed only by his heel, Hercules could hold the sky on his back and Ajax was a freaking monster.
Hebrew scriptures are not historical texts except from the parts refering to David, Solomon etc and those really REALLY embelished.
For God's shake in churches they sing David's hymns and he was a king of an ancient kingdom who killed thousands of people, and most likely usurped the place of his protector Saoul.
When comparing a Roman Legionary vs. a modern infantry soldier in physical fitness, I would imagine that they would be about equal. Both the Romans and the Greeks had an understanding of how to build physical strength and endurance (Milo and the Bull is a good example). Granted, they didn't have access to Dianabol, but I doubt they ate mud either (and they didn't have Twinkies). I'd imagine that modern soldiers, on average, are bigger and the equipment loads are actually slightly more now than when the Roman Legions were kicking about, but Roman training was quite severe and combat was obviously very physically demanding for all soldiers as it consisted almost exclusively of intense hand-to-hand. Roman Legionary vs. U.S. Marine in a triathlon, I say it's a tie.
In a modern situation the marine would be better as it's what he has trained for and vice versa for the legionary, for example if a marine was confronted by a drugged up naked warrior he wouldn't react as well as a Roman.
That's not true they face them all the time in the subway.Quote:
Originally Posted by strategos alexandros
While not nude, the Somalis used qat, which from what I'm told is a mild stimulant. Presently, insurgents/jihadists/whatever you want to call them have been reported to use hash and other substances before fighting.Quote:
Originally Posted by strategos alexandros
EDIT: Deleted by user for being too far off the topic.