Collections: Against the State – A Primer on Terrorism, Insurgency and Protest

This week, continuing in the vein of some of our previous strategy and military theory primers, I wanted to off a basic 101-level survey of the strategic theory behind efforts, in a sense, directed against the state itself, both violent approaches (what we might call 'terroristic insurgency') and non-violent approaches (protest). It may seem strange … Continue reading Collections: Against the State – A Primer on Terrorism, Insurgency and Protest →

Collections: The Late Bronze Age Collapse, A Very Brief Introduction

This week, by order of the ACOUP Senate, we're talking about the Late Bronze Age Collapse (commonly abbreviated 'LBAC'), the shocking collapse of the Late Bronze Age state system across the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East during the 12th century (that is, the 1100s) BC. In the broader Mediterranean world, the Late Bronze Age Collapse … Continue reading Collections: The Late Bronze Age Collapse, A Very Brief Introduction →

Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part IVb: Training Hoplites?

This is, at long last, the last part of our four-part series (I, II, IIIa, IIIb, Intermission, IVa). last time we looked at the social status of hoplites and the implications that had for the political and social structure of the polis and even the very basic question of how many people there were in … Continue reading Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part IVb: Training Hoplites? →

Collections: Hoplite Wars: Part IVa, The Status of Hoplites

This is the last part of our four-part series (I, II, IIIa, IIIb, Intermission) on the debates surrounding ancient Greek hoplites and the phalanx formation in which they fought. We've spent the last two entries in this series looking at warfare quite narrowly through the lens of tactics: hoplite spacing, depth, fighting style, and so … Continue reading Collections: Hoplite Wars: Part IVa, The Status of Hoplites →

Intermission: Battle Pulses

This week we're going to take a brief break from our series on hoplites (I, II, IIIa, IIIb) to address a broader question in how we understand the mechanics of warfare with contact weapons, which is the mechanics of the concept of a 'battle pulse.' This notion, that front lines in contact might occasionally withdraw … Continue reading Intermission: Battle Pulses →

Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part IIIb: A Phalanx By Any Other Name

This is the second half of the third part of our four-part series (I, II, IIIa) discussing the debates surrounding ancient Greek hoplites and the formation in which they (mostly?) fought, the phalanx. Last week, we discussed the development of hoplite warfare through the Archaic period (c. 750-480). Our evidence for that early period of … Continue reading Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part IIIb: A Phalanx By Any Other Name →

Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part IIIa: An Archaic Phalanx?

This is the third part of our four-part series (I, II) discussing the debates surrounding ancient Greek hoplites and the formation in which they (mostly?) fought, the phalanx. Last week, we looked at how the equipment which defined the hoplite - hoplite (ὁπλίτης), after all, means 'equipped man') - and how it weighs in on … Continue reading Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part IIIa: An Archaic Phalanx? →

Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part II: Hoplite Equipment, Hoplight or Hopheavy?

This is the second part of what looks like it'll be end up as a four part series discussing the debates surrounding ancient Greek hoplites, the heavy infantry of the Archaic (800-480) and Classical (480-323) periods. Last week, we outlined the contours of the debate: the major points of contention and the history of the … Continue reading Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part II: Hoplite Equipment, Hoplight or Hopheavy? →

Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part I: The Othismos over Othismos

This week (and next) we're looking at hoplites, the heavy infantry of the ancient Greek poleis in the (early? mid? late?) Archaic and Classical periods, into the Hellenistic. In particular, I want to outline the major debate, which I have alluded to quite a few times here, that swirls around hoplite warfare and the phalanx. … Continue reading Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part I: The Othismos over Othismos →

Miscellania: Europa Universalis V Confirmed! (First Impressions)

Something different this week! The folks at Paradox Development Studios were nice enough to give me a review copy of the upcoming Europa Universalis V (releasing Nov. 4) ahead of release so that I could share some thoughts! For the unfamiliar, Europa Universalis is a series of strategy games covering the early modern period (traditionally … Continue reading Miscellania: Europa Universalis V Confirmed! (First Impressions) →