Persia

The Gothic Wars Battle of Adrianople

In 376 AD the Goths appeared on the lower Danube frontier of the Roman Empire. They came as a whole tribe, with warriors, women and children. Read more

Persia

Elphinstone’s 1842 Kabul Retreat During the First Anglo-Afghan War

In the second week of January 1842, a British lookout standing watch on the ramparts of the old walled city of Jalalabad was suddenly confronted with an alarming sight. Read more

Persia

The Rise of Macedon

The city-states of ancient Greece were rich in culture and history. But following the Peloponnesian War, which lasted 27 years, they were exhausted, their best young men dead, Attica’s farms ruined. Read more

Persia

The Battle of Milvian Bridge: Battle for the Western Empire

In ad 305, there occurred an event unprecedented in the history of the Roman Empire. Emperor Diocletian voluntarily abdicated to live the simple life of a farmer on his country estate. Read more

Persia

Deus le Veult! The Siege of Antioch

Shortly before dawn on June 3, 1098, Bohemund of Taranto, one of the leaders of the First Crusade and the survivor of many campaigns, stood in the shadow of the Tower of the Two Sisters, one of the strongest points in the defenses of the ancient city of Antioch. Read more

Persia

Defending the Pass at the Battle of Thermopylae

What nation of Asia, did not Xerxes lead against Hellas? —Herodotus

On the Doricus, the vast Thracian plain and beach on the Aegean coast, rose a stronghold. Read more

Persia

Byzantine Spies in the Byzantine–Sassanid Wars

Byzantium, the successor state to ancient Rome, lasted over a thousand years. But it all could have been different because its first major enemy—Persia—was a fierce and determined competitor bent on the Empire’s demise. Read more

Persia

Siege of Rhodes: The Will Of The Hospitallers

Although the great Crusades were over by 1309 ad, one old crusading order continued to evolve, flourish, and make enemies—the Knights Hospitallers of St. Read more

Persia

Blood in the Sand: Shiite Assassins

Their name has been synonymous with murder for almost a thousand years, but few people know the full truth about the enigmatic organization known as the Assassins. Read more

Persia

Famous Military Generals: Chabrias the Athenian

On a warm summer day in the year 378 BC, a large Spartan army stood baffled on the plain of Boeotia in central Greece. Read more

Persia

Greek Triumph at Plataea

Persian King Xerxes I “The Great” was a man who liked to solicit different opinions before he made a decision on any important matter. Read more

Persia

The History of War Elephants: From Ancient India to Vietnam

Imagine a time when human knowledge of elephants was not widespread. Just think how threatening these large animals would be coming over a hillside or out of a mist during battle. Read more

Persia

The March on Baghdad & What Could Have Been

When Rashid Ali seized power in Baghdad, his coup provided Nazi Germany with a key piece of its world strategy for victory. Read more

Persia

Alexander the Great in Afghanistan

In the autumn of 331 bc, Alexander the Great won a decisive victory over the Great King Darius III of Persia at the Battle of Gaugamela. Read more

Persia

Hoplites vs. Persians: Who Won the Battle of Cunaxa?

The Greek hoplite of 401 bc was the most formidable fighting soldier of his day. Every soldier was protected by his panoply, which consisted of his shield, helmet, sword, spear, and greaves (leg guards). Read more

Persia

Macedonia’s Elite Companion Cavalry under Alexander the Great

Cavalry was the decisive arm of the Macedonian army under Alexander. His tactics for its employment in battle were simple but effective. Read more