King Philip II Archives

An artist of a much later age attempted to depict classical artillery in the painting below. Greeks devised weaponry that launched bolts and stones, often with great accuracy.

King Philip II

Types of Weapons Used by Ancient Greece

By Mike Markowitz

When we think “catapult,” we imagine the types of weapons used for hurling rocks, dead plague victims, or unlucky cows against a castle. Read more

King Philip II

The Battle of Lepanto: “The Best Day’s Work in Centuries”

By William J. McPeak

For Europe, there was great news from Malta in August 1565. The Ottoman Turks had lifted their siege and made for home. Read more

Meeting with leaders of Tyre, Alexander the Great hoped to capture the city without the use of force. Alexander is shown in this detail of a 17th century fresco depicting his life.

King Philip II

Siege of Tyre: Alexander the Great’s Assault on the Persians

By Marc G. De Santis

It was the autumn of 333 bc and Alexander the Great stood triumphant on the battlefield of Issus. Read more

English fireships, stuffed with tarred fagots and red-hot guns, drift into the Spanish Armada, sowing panic and confusion.

King Philip II

Defeat of the Spanish Armada

By Eric Niderost

On Friday, July 29, 1588, a group of English gentlemen decided to play a friendly game of bowls after a hearty midday meal. Read more

Vizier Mustafa Pasha commanded the Turkish ground forces at Malta, seen here breasting the Knights Hospitallers in one of numerous headlong assaults.

King Philip II

Clash of Religions at Malta

By Tony Rothman

At dawn on May 18, 1565, one of the largest armadas ever assembled appeared off the Mediterranean island of Malta. Read more

King Philip II

Unholy Sabbath in Flanders

By William E. Welsh

With his one good eye, French King Philip II looked east down the straight line of an old Roman road in the disputed county of Flanders on Sunday, July 27, 1214. Read more

King Philip II

King Richard’s Chateau Gaillard

By William E. Welsh

In 1194 English King Richard I returned to England from his long absence on the Third Crusade and set about recovering the castles his younger brother John had taken in his absence. Read more

King Philip II

Alexander’s Triumph at Granicus

In the spring of 334 bc, Alexander of Macedon paused with his army on the western side of the Granicus River. Read more

Ships and Galleons of the Spanish Armada Campaign against England.

King Philip II

Ships of the Armada Campaign

By Eric Niderost

The Armada campaign marked the beginning of a new age in naval warfare. Before this time, naval encounters were essentially land battles fought at sea. Read more

King Philip II

The Battle of Gisors: Richard the Lionheart Chases His Prey

by William E. Welsh

King Richard I of England, known as “The Lionheart,” was imprisoned in spring 1193 in Germany on his return from the Third Crusade by Duke Leopold V of Austria for alleged crimes and insults that occurred when they were participating together in the crusade. Read more

From Around the Network

The Haversack Ruse In Gaza Impressed Even Lawrence Of Arabia

Pearl Harbor Attack Cover-up

The Boy Who Got Rommel

William T. Sherman: A Hard Lesson in War