Ancient weapons: The evolution of battlefield technology
Disclaimer: The editorial team of The Global Technology warns that this article, directly or indirectly, does not serve as an encouragement to action. We do not urge readers to resolve conflicts using weapons; we merely offer them an opportunity to explore another aspect of modern life, fascinating historical facts, and the equally intriguing technologies of archaic warfare.
“— Doctor, they have weapons!
— And I don’t. That makes me better, doesn’t it? They can shoot me, but morally, I am stronger.”
from the TV series Doctor Who
All men are built the same—they need to conquer and win. Warriors are also built the same way, and they, too, need victory. Sometimes, to demoralize an opponent, it is enough to display one’s strength, but when that is not enough, technologies come into play—technologies that are not always aimed at creation.
Forgotten Artillery at the Dawn of Warfare
Modern military technologies appear as if they were influenced by unknown beings. New fighter jets could participate in intergalactic battles, submarines can launch missiles to distances that are difficult to express in numbers, and satellites track our every step with such precision that they could easily count how many times we turn off the lights.
Against this backdrop, ancient wars with swords and shields seem like childish games with sticks and imaginary dragons. However, underestimating them would be a mistake, as the arsenal of those times included true masterpieces of military thought—equivalents of precision rifles capable of striking targets with accuracy that modern weaponry might envy. These weapons instilled as much fear in people of their time as nuclear missiles do today.
Anyone who believes that the past was simple and naive is mistaken: even back then, humanity had its own “toys” for grown-ups.
People of that era were well aware that building a defensive arsenal did not necessarily require arrows, sticks, guns, or axes. To leave the enemy in confusion and create panic, one needed agility, military cunning, and the ability to use the most extraordinary devices. And, of course, the skills of diplomacy to resolve any conflict peacefully.
Twisting Enemies Instead of Dough
In times when Hindus and Muslims were strictly forbidden from carrying weapons, they created something that looked like an ordinary work tool. However, this “multi-tool” was considered quite dangerous and was called Madu.
Madu consists of crossed antelope horns sticking out in different directions, resembling poorly twisted pasta. They were perfect for sudden attacks from behind. Those who carried Madu assured others that it was just a gardening tool. The long horn extensions looked as if they had just come off a fashion runway, serving as an example of how to bypass bans and create something truly unique.
The Strength of the Samurai
Haladie was a reliable companion of the Rajputs—noble warriors similar to samurai, though with a different hairstyle and a distinct yet equally impressive code of honor. Rajputs carried a small exotic sword with blades on both sides, which at least doubled their chances of victory in battle. Using this weapon required great agility, and those who mastered it became true warriors, attacking their enemies from multiple angles.
A Ring Is Not a Proposal, But It’s a Strong Argument
A spiked ring was a true gem of ancient Japanese weaponry. Kakute might seem like a harmless accessory that could adorn any humble ninja—but only at first glance. This sharp tool was one of the deadliest items, even sharpening the “women’s question” in the ninja world.
A ring with one, two, or even three spikes was a stylish yet lethal way to send a “greeting” to an opponent. A punch with a hand wearing a kakute could cause significant damage if it struck a vulnerable spot. Often, this deadly accessory became the final argument in a dispute.
Entangling Sleeves
Japan, Edo period. Meet Sodegarami, also known as the “Sleeve Entangler.” This spiked pole could easily entangle the clothing of brave warriors, leaving them without pants—and without a chance to escape. A masterpiece of Japanese ingenuity, it allowed law enforcement officers to skillfully break up samurai fights. Using this tool was simple—one had to quickly thrust it forward, catch the opponent’s clothing, and tangle it like a ball of yarn.
The Spear Takes Flight
Atlatl—the ancestor of all bows and arrows—was like an older brother, always one step ahead. This throwing device could send a spear flying at a speed of 0.1 km/h. For its time, the atlatl was a true rocket engine.
This ancient marvel was used at short distances but proved highly effective and gained popularity worldwide. Skilled locals hurled spears with precision using this flexible wooden mechanism. The atlatl remains in history as one of the most creative ways to launch a spear into the sky.
Pharaoh in Combat Mode
Welcome to the world of Ancient Egypt, where under the scorching sun, pharaohs built pyramids and wielded an unusual weapon—Khopesh. This elegant hybrid of a battle axe and a sword was both a battlefield giant and a symbol of power, once gracing only the hands of rulers.
But one day, this majestic weapon decided to change professions. The bronze beauty that could take down enemies in a heartbeat soon found itself successfully chopping wood.
The khopesh was as heavy as a wardrobe, making it a true challenge to wield. Thanks to its curved shape and weight, it became a formidable weapon in battle.
Combat Dance in the Ring
The arena. Gladiators stand in the center, gripping weapons designed for devastating blows—a masterpiece of leather, iron, and spikes—the Cestus. If ancient Greeks and Romans had seen modern soft boxing gloves, they would have laughed at such childishness.
Though the cestus never earned the title of a deadly weapon, it played an important role in the arsenal of ancient Greek and Roman warriors and athletes. This “armored” accessory protected fighters’ hands and served as a makeshift shield in battle.
It turns out that even our ancestors cared about safety and additional protective gear.
The Lunar Sickle and Lunar Hammer
Shotel—a crescent-shaped sword with a handle—was once considered a masterpiece of Ethiopian weaponry.
The shotel reached peak popularity, much like the latest smartphone model or a trendy hat. However, Ethiopians and Europeans soon realized its dangers in battle—it was extremely difficult to block its strikes with a shield, and only true craftsmen could forge such a weapon.
Tiger Claws Instead of a Sword
Bagh Nakh, or “Tiger Claws,” have nothing in common with the cozy cats napping on a living room couch. Originating from the mysterious corners of India and Japan, this weapon features several curved blades resembling metal “fingers”—a design that could easily suit both heroes and villains alike.
Tiger Claws were widely used and even found their way into the handbags of warrior women. Throughout history, women have always protected themselves from both strangers and wild beasts.
A Greek Firework with a Military Twist
Flamethrowers were a military trend of the 20th century, but Greek Fire had already been in use since the 1st century BC by the warriors of the Pontic Kingdom. Later, the Byzantines perfected it, creating something akin to napalm—with a twist.
The enhanced mixture developed by Byzantine warriors ignited instantly and continued burning even on water. These fiery weapons were launched from ship decks, leaving enemies with no chance for retreat. The exact formula of Greek Fire remained a closely guarded secret. Historians agree that Greek engineers pushed the advancement of firearms forward by several centuries.
The Claw and Archimedes’ Mirror
The scientist and engineer Archimedes—the same eccentric who shouted “Eureka!” in his bathtub—designed an entire arsenal of military inventions.
In 215 BC, when the Roman fleet decided that Syracuse was the perfect place for an invasion, Archimedes built a massive crane with a hook that could grab Roman ships and fling them like toy construction pieces. This “Claw” became a nightmare for enemies, discouraging further invasions for years to come.
But that wasn’t all.
Archimedes once again stepped up with another impressive invention—the Mirror. He used mirrors arranged in a way that acted as a parabolic reflector to concentrate sunlight and set enemy ships ablaze. When the Roman ships unexpectedly launched their attacks, the light refraction worked its magic—Roman soldiers watched in horror as their ships suddenly caught fire for seemingly no reason, sending them into a panic. However, for the “Mirror” to be effective, perfect sunny weather was required. Even so, the mere threat of its use was enough to terrify enemies and alter the course of history.
The Tank with a Trunk
A medieval man wielding a sword on a battlefield is a familiar sight. But a warrior in heavy armor, confidently riding an elephant—that’s both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
War elephants demonstrated sheer military power just by appearing on the battlefield. They were the first “tanks,” except instead of tracks, they had powerful legs and trunks.
Alexander the Great was the first to incorporate these four-legged giants into his army. Later, the Romans and Carthaginians followed suit. Despite their bulk, war elephants performed their duties excellently. Their presence alone struck terror into enemies, causing them to drop their weapons and flee. And for those who failed to escape in time, there was no hope—being trampled alive by an elephant was hardly anyone’s dream fate.
To the Galleys!
Modern aircraft carriers can transport entire floating cities with thousands of people and dozens of planes. That may not be surprising today, but in ancient times, ships were significantly smaller. Most warships were under 30 meters in length and operated by no more than 170 rowers.
Yet, despite their modest size, they could cover over 100 kilometers in a single day.
Speaking of giants, one cannot forget the Tessarakonteres—a massive galley built in Egypt in the 3rd century BC by order of Ptolemy IV Philopator. This 130-meter-long ship, powered by 4,000 rowers, was terrifying simply by existing. It’s almost unimaginable today that the ancestors of modern aircraft carriers were essentially oversized rowboats operated by hundreds of slaves.
Siege Towers
In the 9th century BC, the Assyrians, unsure of how else to break through enemy walls, decided that technology was the best solution. Siege towers became the primary force in breaching fortifications. The ultimate monster was the Macedonian Helepolis—a 40-meter-tall tower equipped with a 55-meter-long battering ram (about the height of a 12-story building) that advanced straight toward enemy defenses.
Moving this behemoth required around 3,500 soldiers, plus an additional 1,000 slaves to operate the ram. But once it was set in motion, the enemy had little choice but to negotiate peace. However, this weapon never saw widespread use, as bad weather would cause it to sink into the mud.
Biological Experiments
Biological warfare dates back as far as the 14th century BC. During the war between the Hittites and the Arzawans, not only swords but also the corpses of infected animals were used as weapons.
The Scythians coated their arrowheads with a mixture of manure, rotten blood, and spider venom. Even a minor graze from such an arrow meant certain death.
The Spartans threw bodies of Ebola fever victims into water supplies. During the Punic Wars, Hannibal hurled containers filled with poisonous snakes at Roman ships. Military experiments with biological weapons became so extreme that entire cities collapsed under the assault of bacteria, microbes, and venom.
Weapons Yet to Be Discovered
Conflicts often act as catalysts for scientific progress. When innovation is needed, peaceful pursuits inevitably take a back seat. We dream of science bringing harmony and stability to the world, but behind the scenes, the action is already brewing! Under the veil of secrecy, scientists whisper and twirl their mustaches, crafting the weapons of the future. Technologies poised to revolutionize our understanding of warfare are already waiting for their moment.
The Inflatable Airplane
The GA.468 and GA.466 aircraft were commissioned by the U.S. Army and remain the only fully inflatable airplanes in history.
When the military needed reliable rescue aircraft to assist downed pilots, Goodyear—the famous tire manufacturer—came to the rescue with inflatable planes.
The fuselage and wings of these aircraft were made of double-layered dense rubber reinforced with nylon threads, creating air chambers. Structural rigidity was achieved through air pressure, while a powerful McCulloch engine could lift the plane into the sky almost instantly.
Heat Strike from a Distance
The Active Denial System is an engineering marvel designed to control riots without resorting to traditional “negotiation” methods. It was developed by the well-known company Raytheon.
This device emits electromagnetic waves that heat human skin—just like meat in a microwave. The thermal beam manipulates water molecules in the skin, raising its temperature to 60-70°C from a distance of 500 meters. This forces demonstrators or large crowds to immediately disperse. Additionally, the system can disrupt the functionality of bank cards.
Currently, Active Denial Systems are mounted on vehicles, but developers are working on portable versions.
Invisible Scouts
Surveillance and control have become a new type of weapon. Information is power, and whoever possesses it stays one step ahead. While not as physically dangerous as other weapons, intelligence gathering is just as decisive in modern conflicts.
A real project, developed by the U.S. agency DARPA, focuses on implanting microchips into insect pupae, training them to become spies. As the insects grow, the military gains an army of bio-robotic agents. Microchips are fused into the beetles’ bodies, creating what scientists hoped would be a highly effective combat symbiosis. The insects are controlled via electrical impulses, allowing operators to sit in headquarters, press buttons, and watch their tiny agents complete reconnaissance missions.
However, the final deployment never happened—the insects simply didn’t survive long enough. It seems that beetles weren’t quite ready for such responsibility.
Another breakthrough, RF-Pose, was developed by researchers at MIT. This artificial intelligence system can detect people through walls. Every body movement generates a signal, and with the right analysis, the system can determine who is behind a wall and what they are doing. Even if there’s a large crowd, the system identifies everyone.
RF-Pose has peaceful applications as well—it can be useful in medicine and gaming. It can also help rescue workers locate survivors trapped under debris after natural disasters.
German engineers introduced Animatrix iP1, a smart firearm. This gun refuses to fire if held by an unauthorized person—it only “trusts” the radio-controlled watch of its owner. If the connection between the gun and the watch is lost, the weapon immediately deactivates.
Modern technology increasingly resembles science fiction, with inventions that seem both surreal and all-powerful. However, even the owner of the most advanced secret military gadget must still rely on common sense and an awareness of consequences.
Love: The Ultimate Weapon
“Make love your weapon to overcome any evil.”
Michael Jackson
Even the bravest warrior finds it hard to resist the beauty and tenderness of a woman. Love is the greatest weapon, capable of awakening both the best and the worst emotions in a man’s heart.
Many wars have been waged for love—or out of hatred for love lost. History is full of examples where warriors, consumed by passion, rushed into battle with a sword in one hand and a heart torn by suffering in the other.
Science still cannot fully explain how this weapon works. The formula for love exists, yet it continues to surprise even the coldest and most calculating warriors.
Create, Not Destroy
History is written by the victors, and this is hard to argue with. However, the means of achieving victory can be different. Modern technology has already reached a level that allows us to move away from aggression and destruction.
Perhaps the time has come to channel humanity’s strengths, centuries of accumulated experience, and military technology into creative and constructive purposes. We must learn to prove our strength and demonstrate our advantages solely through peaceful progress.
And then, we will no longer just talk about peace—we will live in it. A world where there is only harmony and love.
The atomic fortress has fallen. And our hair stands on end!
Thank you!
