General's speeches

[Avicenna]

Not exactly a speech, but you did ask about rituals. Some kind of Greeks, I can't remember which (I think it's the Thessalians), pretended to try and sacrifice a bull, which would fail. This would appear to be a good omen to the other side, and the rampaging bull would go over and they would try to sacrifice it. It would have been given an alcoholic beverage of some sort, so naturally when the opponents of the Thessalians ate the good bits of the bull, they all sprawled out drunk, ready to be butchered.

[rotorgun]

Not exactly a speech, but you did ask about rituals. Some kind of Greeks, I can't remember which (I think it's the Thessalians), pretended to try and sacrifice a bull, which would fail. This would appear to be a good omen to the other side, and the rampaging bull would go over and they would try to sacrifice it. It would have been given an alcoholic beverage of some sort, so naturally when the opponents of the Thessalians ate the good bits of the bull, they all sprawled out drunk, ready to be butchered.

Perhaps one of the first attempts at phsycological/biolgical warfare. I guess those guys were just full of BS.

[Avicenna]

Perhaps one of the first attempts at phsycological/biolgical warfare. I guess those guys were just full of BS.

Nope, it wasn't. I've actually got a whole book about this, talking about chemical, biological and psychological warfare in the ancient world. Fascinating read, it's surprising how long ago these methods were used. An example many of you would know would be the Old Testament: the way some sentences are worded showed that the Jews actually intentionally tried to direct plagues or hordes of rats or such things to their enemies. Also, the Iliad says that the Trojanss prayed for Apollo to shoot arrows of pestilence, showing their intention to spread a pandemic among the Greeks, and one of the words used also meant 'snake' in Greek I think. Snakes were where they got the poison to poison their arrows. (using poison was acceptable in defense, I think)

Anyway, if you want to read more, the book's called:

Greek fire, poison arrows and scorpion bombs by Adrienne Mayor

[Peasant Phill]

what where those scorpion bombs?

[rotorgun]

Thanks Tiberius, I'll have to add that to my collection. Please do tell us about those scorpion bombs. It sounds interesting, in a despicable sort of way. Did they really involve the use of actual scorpions? Boy do those things sting when they bite!