How did the Sumerians fight their wars?

In this episode, we are going to take a look at warfare in bronze-age Mesopotamia.
Special thanks to Sig'unnr and Molborg for their precious help.
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+++Main Sources+++
Bertrand Lafont - The Army of the Kings of Ur: The Textual Evidence
Juan Luis Montero Fenollós, Jordi Vidal - The Fortification System in Tell Abu Fahd
Davide Natali - Representations of battering rams and siege towers in early Bronze Age Glyptic Art
+++Photos+++
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[@ireneruscelli6496]

I get it that arming the second line with longspears gives them something to do while the front line is engaged, but I find it hard to believe that all of the front-liners were armed only with axes. It is true that axes and one of those harpoons you showed are more effective in creating openings in the enemy's shield wall but if the enemy was in turn armed with shield and spear they would have a reach advantage, no? It would be interesting to test this formation with re-enactors. Beautiful video anyway, as always.

[@philippedaigneault366]

From what I could see it looked like a majority of the weapons shown (the Adzes, harpoons and those huge bardiche looking battleaxes) had one thing in common which is they are excellent at bringing down shields. So I'm thinking the frontline was there to force the shields down while the soldiers with the spears in the back waited to exploit the breach. The name of the game must have been a series of opening breaches in the shield wall and then for the defender to seal that breach as soon as possible. the cycle probably went on until one shield wall collapsed and were overrun.

[@Priyo866]

I love the Bronze Age, how did I not discover this channel before? Very good content, subscribed.

[@mists_of_time]

Thank you! Are you from India, right? We are planning some bronze age Indian content

[@VainerCactus0]

I remember there was a mod for Total War Rome 2 that was set in the Bronze age, I can't remember what it was called. It probably included chariots. I think Total war might not be the best platform for these kinds of wars. Total War is all about expanding your territory, not about cattle raiding and looting. So I think some pretty big changes would need to be made to the base mechanics to require different play styles than the normal ones. It would need to be a very careful balancing act to keep your military from turning on you if it gets too powerful and board, but also keep it from losing in battle because you kept your army small to prevent this trouble.

[@VainerCactus0]

Also I have a thought about the shield wall. I am not convinced that separating your soldiers into shieldmen and spearmen is a good idea. If you lose a shieldman, your line is broken and cannot easily be filled. It means shieldmen will also suffer the greatest attrition over a long campaign season. Ideally everybody should carry the same gear, so anybody can step into the gap if one is opened in your line.

[@mists_of_time]

Crusader Kings 3 has a bronze-age mod that is quite nice too bad it's quite a while it doesn't receive an update.

[@mists_of_time]

@@VainerCactus0 I see your point, but at the same time I don't think the representation of people using two handed spears is random. It must show something that was clear for people at the time but today we miss it.

[@keratomeliusis]

Great video, I loved your depiction of the landscape, it is the typical landscape of mesopotamian lands.

[@mists_of_time]

Thank you for noticing the landscape, I have invested a lot of time in them. I have saved many reference photos from modern day Iraq! I wish to visit the country one day.

[@keratomeliusis]

@@mists_of_time Great work indeed, I noticed the high level of details you put into your amazing work. I live near babylon if you need any photos I will be pleased to help. And I hope you can make the trip... And experience the landscape you made in real life 😊

[@BrandonS-lk2qc]

Yep. Subbed immediately.

[@mists_of_time]

Thank you

[@lorenzodipretoro552]

L'approccio alle fonti è fenomenale

[@mists_of_time]

Grazie Lorenzo. E' un aspetto a cui ci teniamo molto. E' un po la nostra regola principale: niente Wikipedia!

[@terrywallace5181]

I enjoyed this program.

[@mists_of_time]

Thank you!

[@manic2360]

Just discovered you.. excellent....Subscribed. I assume they would have skirmish soldiers armed with slingshot as well..?

[@mists_of_time]

Hi there, thank you for subscribing. Yes you are right, slingers were present of course. We didn't include them in this episode as it was already becoming too long. But we briefly mention them in our episode on the Sumerian war wagons. Some war heroes were buried alongside their draft animals, a war wagon model and...some baked clay slingshots.

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

Entertaining, engaging and educational! Loved this 💕

[@mists_of_time]

Thank you!

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@mists_of_time yess

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@mists_of_time more on bronze age

[@mists_of_time]

@@ajithsidhu7183 ah! I love your enthusiasm for the bronze age :D . You may wish to take a look at our episode on the sumerian war wagons! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4imYXd5rs2Jm9E

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@mists_of_time yess

[@ОлегМирошниченко-щ8л]

Very good and simple to understand video, but just asking where did you find info about Redu?

[@mists_of_time]

Hi Oleg, thank you for your comment! The info comes from "Bertrand Lafont - The Army of the Kings of Ur: The Textual Evidence". Each of our videos has always all the sources stated in the video description.

[@konsumterra1]

some peoples used straps to help hold sheilds and longer spears

[@mists_of_time]

Thank you for your comment. I have read about this theory but I'm not very convinced. I have the feeling that a strapped shield would not be very effective as you can't maneuver it. Maybe I should force 20 friends to test it with some plywood shields and some long sticks :D

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

@@mists_of_time And film it for YT! 😜

[@MttMst-un1cy]

Insane people my fathers the best parts is there is no flaming guys

[@MttMst-un1cy]

My soldiers father's

[@stevedrane2364]

Tre Bonne.. . 👍👍

[@mists_of_time]

merci beaucoup

[@SaveliyShabanov]

such a good job i mean video : )

[@mists_of_time]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it!

[@mosasaurvideos50]

you're right! das video war sehr lustig)

[@mists_of_time]

@@mosasaurvideos50 thank you! 😊