While violence in human society predates (so-called?) civilization, and, in fact, even humanity, Civilization and War seem to have grown together, like unlikely twins born of the same mother. We will examine how these two phenomena coexisted and continue to do so, and in fact in many ways support each other.
We will examine the means (manpower, social organization, political systems, technology/weaponry, strategy, etc.) of war, and how societies provide them. We will then proceed to analyze instances of warfare. For example, is it not curious that two of the most decisive sea battles in history (separated by seventeen centuries) occurred within eight nautical miles of each other? How did armor and weaponry, materials and construction effect battles outcomes? When was strategy of apparent weakness or apparent strength more conducive to success? Was it enough to win a battle or to prove you won, and could do it again? So, dear friends, come, once more unto the breach, for Harry, England and (Saint) George!
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