The European Mercenaries of the Bronze Age Collapse

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching. Please do hit "like", it really helps us out. And if you enjoy these kinds of videos please consider supporting the channel: Join us on Patreon ➜ www.patreon.com/dandavisauthor Get my novels on Amazon ➜ amzn.to/3xngwz5

[@tylerdurden3722]

Didn't the Battle of Kadesh (1274BC) occur before the Sea Peoples attacked Egypt(from 1236BC onwards)? Also, the Hittites and Egyptians had established an alliance in 1259BC. So, by the time the sea people's attacked, there was no war with the Hittites for them to partake in. In the past, my personal theory used to be that the treaty between the Egyptians and Hittites caused the rise of the "sea peoples" (the sea people's were basically pirates and marauders). That treaty probably resulted in a very large amount of mercenaries who suddenly found themselves unemployed. So they resorted to piracy and marauding (becoming the "sea peoples" and the "land peoples" )

[@williamdaniels9728]

Hey Dan, I really love your series. I was hoping you could do a video on the advent of boat "Sail" and it's possible origin in the middle east being used to transport logs down river and it's eventual adaption to canoes/boats and then spread to the rest of the world and how this may have influenced various cultures from the Polynesians to the Vikings. It makes one wonder if the sail originated in the middle east or possibly in multiple different cultures throughout time. A fascinating piece of ancient technology.

[@brianswelding]

Hi Dan, just found your channel and 12 minutes in I've already subscribed. I love the detailed analysis. I wonder if it is possible to trace metal ore sources via isotopes like they do to find out where granite, etc. was quarried. If anyone has any insight I would love to hear about it. Cheers from Chicago!

[@mikepette4422]

Excellent history as ever ! I really want to go read some of your books but my eyes are a mess right now maybe when I can fix those I can read again.

[@dreddykrugernew]

What my theory is no doubt there was a cooling event and no doubt a lot of people went rampaging like in the great migration period. But maybe because the supply of tin from the east was no longer a viable source due to the climatic events and these people still had access to tin so it would make perfect sense to strike your enemy when their supply of bronze weaponry can no longer be made. Lets face it it was a success until Egypt fought them off and i bet they thought lets call it a day with the spoils we have already taken after the 2nd defeat. It also makes sense that Greece was the fastest to bounce back as they where closest to the places where these rampaging people came from so when things settled down again their trade with mainland Europe could start again putting them in a much better position to take advantage of the weaker nations around the Med.

[@mnforager]

Your videos and narratives transport me. My undergrad was in anthropology and none of my harvard-educated professors were able to bring history to life in a semester like you can in a 20-minute video. Your work makes me life better. Thank you

[@DanDavisHistory]

Wow thanks that's an amazing thing to read, cheers Tim.

[@theknave4415]

@@DanDavisHistory I've praised your work, before. ;) I must concur with Tim. For several years, I've been an ad hoc research assistant for a professor who specializes in Indo-European history, culture, mythologies and genetics. You are very, very, good, Dan. :) Solid research. Great 'scripts'. Perfect voice and narration for the material. World class work, as always. (I'm now retired, but assisting and mentoring that younger colleague keeps my hand in the game and keeps my mind busy. Encouraging people like you is simply a wonderful bonus.)

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@DanDavisHistory how did european martial arts develop ? Like in this era

[@letsdothis9063]

The only History teacher that brought history to life like this for me was Mr.Switzer. He taught several courses at Holmes CC in Ridgeland MS. No professors at University even came close. I wish that he would have written professionally.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

His voice is perfect for narration, and story telling.

[@liquidoxygen819]

Very enjoyable video, Mr. Davis. I remember chatting with people about a Bronze Age European grave that had a body foreign to the local culture; we were wondering how it might have ended up there, seemingly buried with honor. Someone suggested the man was accepted into society through his service to the local chief. Interesting to see that concept expanded upon here! Top quality, as always. Cheers!

[@rabidspatula1013]

There was an interesting paper that hypothesized that heavily bronze armored warriors in Mycenaean Greece in the Late Bronze Age was a similar change in fighting doctrine like the introduction of plate armor in the Late Middle Ages. It upset the mix of light infantry and charioteers that came before. Almost immediately at the same time you see slender but robust Naue II swords, narrow bladed spearheads, maces, and spiked war hammers, all traditional "can opener" weapons.

[@HansenFT]

Well Said, but the mace is perhaps not so much of a can opener as a blunt force trauma weapon. Still effective at killing a person in plate armour though.

[@jairoukagiri2488]

@@HansenFT Yes, more of the can-crusher option there. Goes with the hammer half of the war hammer/picks.

[@vaultdweller1386]

@@HansenFT Blunt force can still open a can, I once opened a can of soup with a hammer so i'd say it counts.

[@anon2034]

I concur!

[@bloodangel19]

@@vaultdweller1386 my man just unga bunga'd his way into a can of soup

[@platoplombo15]

Mr. Davis, the podcast of the Lotuseaters recently did a 'contemplations' segment on Romulus, his historicity and the mythology of Rome's founding. I referenced you in a comment and there are many fans of yours there. A collaboration or guest appearance by you would be great for both parties and much appreciated by many. You're both Brits, so travel shouldn't be an issue. Food for thought.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Oh thanks, I'll have to look for that, cheers.

[@ThursonJames]

Shoutout to the Lotus Eaters! ❤️

[@feldgeist2637]

damn lotuseaters ate my comment yesterday ! just because I pointed out (politely enough, I would argue) that the sun isn´t shining that bright for the european metal detectorists, compared to brittain - seemingly can´t have someone spoiling their "white pill" with dark reality there those entries of this obnoxious pussysite-spambot who commented even before me, are still there.....

[@platoplombo15]

@@feldgeist2637 When I first read your comment, I thought 'this is some salty guy who used 'naughty words'...so I conducted a little experiment. No 'forbidden words' just a critique of some of Carl's 'Dadist' advice in light of stats regarding the family court system...yeet: Gone in less than 5 minutes. Disappointing to say the least.

[@feldgeist2637]

@@platoplombo15 I truly hate how managed and designed the comment section has become on many channels either the owners, some deranged admins, yt itself or god knows who else is pushing you down intp the abyss of the section, shadowbanning or outright deleting you

[@basilbrushbooshieboosh5302]

I was wondering how you would approach the enigma of 'The Sea Peoples'. You held it lightly, and didn't force assumptions upon a period that is , as yet , unknowable. Good work. An informative addition to a period of history that retains it's shroud of secrecy.

[@shantiescovedo4361]

I have watched all of Dan’s videos and finished reading Gods of Bronze book one last night. It is a great combination for learning about historical concepts and also being entertained. I could almost hear Dan’s voice while I was reading. I did have one surprise, though, which was how much the described way of life reminded me of the Native American Plains peoples. I have not read anything about them before the introduction of the horse, but that seems like it would be an interesting topic.

[@josephang9927]

Unbelievable how much history have been lost from the Bronze Age. I'm glad archeology is helping us recover some of that knowledge.

[@stefansoder6903]

I think it's amazing how much we know. Just by pure chance all those several tens of thousands of clay tablets with cuneiform writing have survived and been found. Without them we would know a small fraction of what we know.

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

It comes with sharp relief to find this. For years I've been trying to write a Bronze Age novel and I had this kind of subconscious fixation to use mercenaries, but I could not be sure whether that was a historical thing or not. I did not exactly have access to information like this. Makes me gladder than ever I found your channel.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Good luck with your novel.

[@themanflesh6327]

Yessssssss, Mr Davis, a lot of my current writing has been along the lines of Bronze Age mercenary work. This couldn’t have dropped at a better time! I’ve got something to watch over breakfast now!

[@DanDavisHistory]

No way? Awesome.

[@WhitneyDahlin]

Finally! After literal years the KZbin algorithm suggested something I actually WANTED to watch and was very entertaining! Subscribed I'm binging all your videos now!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much, welcome to the channel. I hope you enjoy the videos

[@erisu69]

The amount of research and knowledge on display in your videos is absolutely staggering. The way you show so many pictures of artefacts really hits home the complexity and sophistication of the ancient cultures that didn't leave us any textual evidence. I've yet to come across a channel that does these ancient societies justice better than yours. Thank you.

[@DerHammerSpricht]

This is an amazing choice for a video topic. I don't think the Bronze Age Collapse gets nearly enough detailed concrete attention, it's often portrayed as this vague abstract event about which little can be known, and this video of yours counterweights that impression with veracity. I don't want you to die without knowing how much this video makes the little-discussed corners of my mind feel seen and heard, because I privately speculate and research about the Bronze Age Collapse a great deal especially in regards to the role of secret societies. I would love to see you do some videos delving into concrete knowledge of secret societies in the neolithic era and bronze age.

[@grandmastersreaction1267]

Amazing content as always Dan.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Cheers.

[@ILOVEPOOL143]

Dan Davis History video dropped, today is a good day!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you.

[@adamred5449]

The background music fits really well with the videos I hope that you keep using it. Great video to of course :)

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Last few videos people complained the music was too quiet so I made it louder for this one. Hard to balance but glad you liked it.

[@BoomerMcBoom]

Really enjoyed that Mr. Davis. I have a better understanding of how the history of that region truly dates from antiquity, and continues into the present. Fascinating to grasp that these ancient, now modern, cultures have been interacting for millennia. Thanks again for such a quality product. Check out a film: "The Legend of Tomiris" . It's a Kazakh film with subtitles. It takes place during the Bronze Age and the weaponry and horseman/womanship are quite well done IMO. I'm sure you know who Tomiris is, and I believe you will enjoy the movie. A review would be cool. No pressure.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you Mr McBoom. I do know Tomiris, I talked about her a bit in the horse warriors video but I did NOT know there was a film about her, I will check it out. Cheers!

[@timurthelamest5630]

Tomyris is from the Iron Age and she was very likely mythological rather than being a real character.

[@BoomerMcBoom]

@@timurthelamest5630 I stand corrected. Iron Age. According to Herodotus, and other sources, she was real. Thanks for the correction.

[@timurthelamest5630]

@@BoomerMcBoom According to Herodutos which Herodutos himself admits that he heard this story from someone else. Other writers would then base their accounts of Tomyris off of Herodutos'.

[@BoomerMcBoom]

@@timurthelamest5630 Is Herodotos the first historical reference to Tomiris? Most, if not all, historians hear their stories "from someone else". Not many first hand, and unbiased, historical accounts. History is always being updated and corrected. The Trojan Wars were also a myth, until they weren't.

[@KroM234]

Aww yeah! As a teenager I read the "Ramses" novels serie by the French author Christian Jacq: I wonder if you happen to come around some English translated versions of these books... One of the main characters was a Sardinian mercenary acting as a body guard of yound Ramses II, echoeing well to this video. These novels were so great! It also reminds me of the Egyptian novels saga from Wilbur Smith, one of my favorite adventure novelists.

[@DanDavisHistory]

That sounds very cool! Never heard of it but I will keep an eye out, thanks.

[@laresilience5829]

@@DanDavisHistory jacq is probably one of the best ancient egypt novelist but poorly known in English

[@babylonsburning1]

Ramases, is made up of the word for the Sun, Ra and a name Mases, Moses who was an Eygptian prince was in face called Mases.

[@BOIOLA08]

He was called Serramana. That name is drawn from an location in South Sardinia. 😉

[@askallois]

@laresilience5829 He is also an esteemed archaeologist, especially of Egyptian civilization-

[@seanwhelan879]

Hi Dan don't believe I got an alert fantastic can't wait to listen to this , just finished God born , Dan what a fantastic book I'm hooked going to read everything loved it , it's the part of history I love the different tribes ,people, places and beliefs just Brilliant great work , now on to the vid looking forward to this. Peace 🇮🇪

[@DanDavisHistory]

Awesome, thanks Sean. So glad you liked it mate. Cheers.

[@demonyakku3710]

Finally some good notification arrived. Amazing as always

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks very much.

[@taybak8446]

Once again you've proposed well educated speculations about Bronze Age Europe that I have not heard of from established academics. You'd be a great archaeologist or historian! You have the gift.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you! I don't think I would be a great archaeologist or historian as I don't have the patience or the intelligence. This video and all my videos are based on the work of real academics. I think my talent is in taking their work and telling it in an interesting way.

[@taybak8446]

@@DanDavisHistory that's exactly what I used to think about my chances of becoming an academic. During my 20s through mid 40s, I thought I just didn't have either the patience or smarts to be an intellectual. And then aged 43 I took my MA in ESL and during that time I got acquainted in Linguistics. I successfully completed my MA and got accepted by a UK brick and mortar university to do a PhD in Applied Linguistics. I am now in my 2nd year and realise that what they require is for you to read up on all the "real academics' in the field and present my own imaginative take on one particular angle, using the work of these academics. No more and no less. As my PhD advisor said "It's not like writing a novel." They just want you to show that you know what's been written about it." At any rate, either way, your videos are very well informed, well presented and above all, you give valid and measured speculations that are very original and reasonable. Cheers!

[@stefansoder6903]

This is becoming the best popular history channel ever. Thank you thank you!

[@raeray2235]

Your voice and command of content is SUBLIME! THANK YOU!

[@markusbroyles1884]

All this stuff you do is freakin BRILLIANT ! Don't know how I missed this one for so long. NICE to have some great entertainment again ~ Aloha

[@akashgiri4923]

Amazing analysis and video presentation! The details are always apt, and seem to distill the information of all the relevant scholars -- David Anthony, Asko Parpola, N.K. Sandars, Robert Drews, etc. And the narration is elegant and smooth. One can see that though the video footage is mostly stock, it has been curated with great care and with quality editing. Thanks Dan Davis!

[@old_account189]

I always use these as inspiration for comics or stuff i draw. History always fascinated me, its part of my studies too.

[@bosertheropode5443]

I would be very pleased if you could make a video about bronze age/early iron age ships! Most people probably just have triremes and other, later classical greek ship types in mind. Eventhough minoan and mycenean boats were absolutely beautiful!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yes I will be doing that very soon I hope.

[@bosertheropode5443]

@@DanDavisHistory Thank you very much!

[@Oshidashi]

Great video, thank you! A minor suggestion though. I'm by no means an expert on audio, but in contrary to any other documentaries, series or music I consume, your video seems to come with very powerfull low tones that literally shake up my house when coming through my subwoofer. Never happens, so made me think it's something on your side. The narration and sound of your voice is a pleasure regardless though!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. I don't change the music or sound effects so that's strange, I'll look into it.

[@Tipi_Dan]

Excellent information, delivery, and relevant and synchronized visuals of captivating interest.

[@justarandomname420]

Thank you for making such wonderful videos!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching them!

[@asimian8500]

The Naue Type ii was an innovative game changer and the design was so good that it was crafted in iron hundreds of years later during the Iron Age, influencing future sword designs. Compare the Naue sword with the Egyptian Khopesh sword which could only be used to slash. The slashing/thrusting sword could be used in tighter, denser formations, concentrating combat power which is an essential military strategy as opposed to looser formations with soldiers swinging their swords and requiring lots of room. This was adopted by the later Romans with their shield and gladius formations. Civilized armies prior to the collapse were based on chariot warfare. One hypothesis is that chariot runners (light infantry) armed with numerous javelins would volley fire (adopted by Romans and peltasts with their javelin volley fire) and kill the chariot horses and then proceed to kill off the crew. Alexander did this with his peltasts at the Battle of Gaugamela to annihilate the Persian chariots. These volleys would also kill or wound armored infantry which could be surrounded and then killed. The armored infantry would be exhausted by the hit and run tactics and eventually collapse where they would be finished off. During the Pelopponesian War a contingent of Spartan hoplites were defeated by peltasts who were similar to chariot runners. Lead slingshot rounds and javelins whittled away the Spartans along with hit-and-run tactics. The solution to light infantry peltasts was combined arms which Alexander knew as a Great General but forgotten by many subsequent generals. If the Spartans had their own peltasts and cavalry, they would have killed the enemy force with little problems. The Romans knew this and defeated the Macedonians for supremacy of Greece.

[@szarekhthesilent2047]

the phalanx had a solution to light infantry, and it was the tactic of ekdrome. The spartans did have light infantry and cavalry. Especially light infantry was plenty. it did not help them. Shields, especially very large shields, are very effective against all kinds of projectiles. Usually the only way for projectile weapons to be effective they have to get to aim around the shield (either by getting a different angle from increased height or by getting around). And I do not have the impression that, compared to the hellenistic combined arms concept, the Roman way of waging war was particularly more effective on a tactical level. They did seem to struggle a lot and relied heavily on local allied forces to achieve victory. Their success seems to be due to their own alliance's stability and their diplomatic achievements. All swords can be used in formation. Cutting makes less sense against metal armor, but has more stopping power. Short swords are more nimble than long swords of the same weight. Also less prone to breaking. And harder to parry (becase short, there is simply less blade to deflect or bind,) Shield combat becomes way more deadly (/shields protect less well) the closer you get because of an increase in possible attack angles. Nimble weapons tend to be more advantageous the closer you get. Same goes for weapons that are hard to parry. Tight formations do not increase general "combat power" (quite the opposite) they increase the effectiveness of shields and helmets. Hence (one of the reasons) why during the peloponesian war, when depictions of bronze armor suddenly become much rarer, formations tend to get tighter.

[@thelucky1]

You have shed so much light on a period I love daydreaming about, so much food for thought, love it, brilliant content! props to you!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much.

[@custink22]

Absolutely love your descriptions. You remind me of a few of my history teachers who had a real passion for it. Its amazing. Ive long held the theory that humans in general have always been a sort of warrior people. We see examples of multi ethnic vagrant mercenary groups all through history and all over the world, and to a much larger scale in the modern world (if you really think about it) so i find it fascinating to learn more about ancient mercenary groups.

[@GriffinParke]

Another great video. I am really interested in the Bronze Age Collapse so found this particularly interesting.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Yes it's a fascinating era. Archaeology isn't so good when things happen so quickly and are so complicated.

[@daipyc1]

Great video Dan. I find it fascinating how far people travelled around the world even back then.

[@HistoryBro]

Great video!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching Bro!

[@josephwhitebear6351]

That was avery good narration for an easier learning experience for those with not a lot of time to read. Africa and Europe is really the history that a majority of people of the United States, unless Native blood line is involved, myself included on both sides of that coin. I'm hyped for all 20 videos, I've always loved the history classes in school and these are definitely a better tool of understanding where the other half of my ancestory derives from! People should learn this history to help avoid any more of an undesired tyrannic leadership of angry men that have greedy menstrual cycles if you will. We are all related down the line. Story's of the lands you are referring to. Thank you for the information and I can't wait to subscribe to more of the priceless history lesson with your teachings. Thank you, thank you!!! One love,Bless up.

[@Trish156]

Amazing channel! Thank you so much

[@Overlord99762]

Such an interesting video, thank you for the wonderful work you do, my friend

[@robertcrusader5019]

This was very good. Well done.

[@holdenedwards8506]

Mr. Davis, you never fail to produce the best content on this website. What a gift it is to be a subscriber

[@rogermurtaugh4766]

Badass documentary. Well spoken.

[@theScrupulousBerserker]

The Varangian Guard always intrigued me, obviously 😏 💪🏽🐻

[@RobbieCec]

Cracking video 👏👏

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you.

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

One of the best content creators here. 👏👏👏👏

[@elbuggo]

Thank you for this.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching.

[@Go-Dawgs]

I just found you today, KZbin suggested you ! So Happy I subscribed, Thanks So Much Sir

[@Jippa_33]

That’s interesting about burying swords in bogs. It doesn’t seem a far leap before you get the lady of the lake handing heroes famous swords.

[@themesiasinrs]

Another amazing vid from the amazing mr.Davis...what a treat:D

[@pasquinomarforio]

Great story, again, Dan. Thank you.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Cheers bro!

[@Romulu5]

Spread the word people. This man needs 100k this year. At least. Fascinating content.

[@SkyFly19853]

Finally! A new video!

[@patjonas0]

Yes dan another great watch mate!!

[@davidkuder4356]

Dan... Love 💘 your Depths of historic vision & perspectives. Keep 'er Up... !!

[@joeshmoe8345]

Great stuff Dan, really interesting. Thanks for posting!

[@christopherfisher128]

Hey Dan, thanks for the well done videos. I had an interesting thought. Just an idea I had while watching some of your videos really, but... Potentially, Koryos bands were a bronze age "Merchant Marine" where, instead of being roaming thieves & bandits they became mercenaries. The untrained young men of a region's clans all gathered into larger companies to hire themselves out for merc work under the guidance & tutelage of an adult "captain", or "ceo" if you like, that would walk them through the rituals & train them in the skills needed to protect hearth, and home, as adults, in exchange for service in his company. Like an apprenticeship. That would solve what to do about rowdy adolescents and give their home communities a source of outside income and allow them to focus on family life without the angst of male puberty. Obviously some would fall on hard times, or suffer losses, and turn to banditry & raiding, etc but the majority would go out, do their "tours," and return home to take up community life. Additionally, based on the theory of the seasonal raids & conflicts, in this video, I'm reminded of the patterns of later Viking raids on the English & European side of the world & I'm wondering if the Sea peoples were potentially Koryos bands of "Proto-Vikings" who instead of doing their tours and going home, went on to become part of larger companies, armies seeking far away employment. Second sons, or the unlanded & itinerant, seeking to make their fortunes with service, or slaving, before going on to purchase land and start their own families/clans. Cheers & thanks again for the interesting topics.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Once again you succeed in telling history in a fascinating way. As always: thank you very much! Greets from the Netherlands 🌷, T.

[@michaelgutierrez9563]

Great presentation!

[@ranislavir]

I see a new Dan Davis video. I click.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, my friend.

[@arlisskowski]

Thanks Dan. Great videos. Big fan and ancient history nerd here.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks very much.

[@bc7138]

Very interesting video. I've been fascinated by the Bronze Age collapse for years, ever since I began reading the work of Eric Cline. It does make sense that the Sea Peoples were a multi-ethnic and multi-tribal groups, gathered to fight for a short term before their confederacies dispersed into oblivion at the end of the Bronze Age. If that were the case then they remind me of groups such as the Alemanni during the Late Roman Period.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. I think there were many groups. Some may have been one ethnic group from a specific area like the Lukka. Some more ephemeral.

[@Kuhmuhnistische_Partei]

When I first heard about the Bronze Age collapse I was really fascinated by the whole Sea People-thing. I've read some article and it sounded like some fantasy lore: an unknown power came on boats and just burned one city after the other. And then this mysterious name, "sea people". It really reminded my of alien invasion movies.

[@michalmondek3418]

@@Kuhmuhnistische_Partei Exactly... If you imagine... you are living like 2000 years in Bronze age, with clay tablets, small city states constantly battling each other and then many groups of mercenaries just show up and destroy everything in all areas of main "cradle of life". Who was thinking outside the box this much in those times? It was not raiding, they just destroyed everything in their path.

[@OblateSpheroid]

Thank you for your work.

[@srlesekulovic168]

Amazing work, just that to say. Keep it upp!!

[@theconservativecoconut6887]

Your thumbnails are amazing

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks bro.

[@AndreVaillancourt-u6k]

I took Ancient Roman history my first year of undergrad studies. The prof managed to make it the most painfully dull class included in my degree. Sad but true.

[@deadhorse1391]

Another great video One question…what do you think it is hanging off the spears in the image of all soldiers in a line?

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. It's thought to be a bag with their belongings or supplies. Food like bread, cheese, dried meat. It may be an indication that these kinds of warriors were often travelling from place to place - like convoy guards and mercenaries.

[@deadhorse1391]

@@DanDavisHistory hmm , never thought of that, sort of like hobos carrying their gear in a bag on a stick

[@hili72]

Thank you. Your way of telling history is great, almost holistic, as to say. I love to listen to you while you cover scientific findings with great narrative skills. This video makes me think how Blackwater and Wagner take over one day. Collapse.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, very kind of you.

[@_thomas1031]

SPECTACULAR RESEARCH!!!🙌🙌🙌

[@bradleymartin8606]

First time viewer... first line, "Mercenaries are professional soldiers" with the music and images. Sold.

[@aarengraves9962]

This makes sense, the ancient Greeks considered themselves descendants of the Dorian invaders, the same people who migrated into Greece and brought down the Mycenaean civilization giving rise to the Polis City-State.

[@fraso7331]

Again a great video.

[@chickenassasintk]

My like and comment, another amazing video on my great, beautiful and perfect ancestors

[@michaelbrowder1759]

Lots of unacknowledged conjecture here, Dan.

[@TmsTanim]

Thank you for another fascinating look at warriors of the Bronze Age. Your videos are incredibly well-researched and well-structured, not to mention entertaining without getting too carried away by conjecture. Always interesting to hear insights into the Bronze Age Collapse. (Note: There's a couple of typos on the map graphic used at 17:25, where Mediterranean is written as "Meditteranean", and Mycenaean as "Myceanean" in the legend)

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much. Shame about that map, I took it from Wikipedia.

[@judestevenson4943]

Another great video👍 the late bronze age is very interesting. European mercenary in the bronze age empires of the Eastern Mediterranean would be a good basis for a book 👍

[@88Somi]

Bronze age is so underated I'm glad to find this channel.

[@jarlborg1531]

I wonder if the victors at Tollense Valley could have been a horde of mercenaries returning from the Mediterranean.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Could be yeah or could be part of the general milieu across Europe.

[@genoshistoria3487]

Hi, I made a video about the Tollense DNA. We can rule out a meditereaen origin because genetically the Tollense warriors weren't Southern European. They were quite 'northern' genetically and match best populations who lived in Bronze age Hungary & late Neolithic Poland. We don't can't know exactly where they came from. They were apart of a mysterious genos who we don't understand yet. We just know they came from somewhere in mainland Europe north of the Mediterranean. Also, we know they were related to modern central-East Europeans in someway.

[@octodaddy4494]

@@genoshistoria3487 Didn't some samples from Tollense match genetically with Scandinavians?

[@genoshistoria3487]

@@octodaddy4494 No. There were three mercenaries, one from France and one from Spain and one from somewhere near Lithuania. Then the rest were apart of that mysterious genos I mentioned in the previous post who we don't understand yet.

[@mugwugthemagnificful]

Similar designs can also be copied of more expensive imports by local tradesmen,eg Delftware vs Chinese blue and white patterns in the 17th century.

[@henrykillenger8665]

Love your videos. Keep it up

[@thomassugg5621]

Looking forward to this.

[@thedude4871]

I just sub to this channel and the background music is fire as well and how u explain history its way better than my teachers could ever explained it to me ,cuz they always gave me the vibe of not caring wat they were teaching

[@disenchantedwanderer9033]

Really good video, many thanks.

[@nowthenzen]

Not sure where I heard this but one theory of the BAC (Bronze Age Collapse) is the infantry who supported the elite chariot units of the Med Kingdoms revolted. If some of that infantry were foreign elite mercenaries these two suppositions can be self supporting.

[@jonathanmeilaender5751]

What's the hillfort at 2:24?

[@ajmiller7317]

Thank you for the wonderful video. This theory seems the most likely to me. Multi ethic large groups of mercenaries kitted out by regional smiths where they served, band together to attack Africa. The similar but slightly different athestic of the armor and weapons of different companies helps Egyptian historians differentiate the groups, making them seem a specific "people." We don't know, but it seems logical.

[@lightbox617]

As an advanced amateur cook, I can tell you that even raw pig skin can re almost impossible to cut or slice. I think I cold feel quite safe in a "boiled leather" lightweight armored vest. Cheaper and lighter than Bronze.

[@integratedalchemist]

I love your videos keep up the good work!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, I will do my best.

[@Kuhmuhnistische_Partei]

I have a question, maybe you or someone else knows something about it. How affordable were bronze weapons and armor for 'common' fighters during the bronze age? I've read that actual bronze swords and armor were items only the warrior elites and pharaoes ect. had and common fighters often still used weapons made from stone and wood. Axes for example were common tools and were often still made from stone and then probably also used in battle. And arrowheads were often made from flint. There are also examples of wooden clubs and mallets found on Bronze age battlefields. And that's the actual reason why people switched to iron when their smelting technology allowed it. The iron they used was of poor quality and early smelting was not that great, so early iron items were actually less durable than bronze items. But tin for bronze was hard to get while iron was quite easy to find. So they switched to iron and that allowed them to equip more people with weapons made from metal. I found the website I've read. It is a e-learning website and seems to belong the Pennsylvania State University. They have a course called "Materials in todays world". The article is called "Why Did it Take So Long Between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age?" and the relevant text is: "Most of the iron used in weapons during the Iron Age, i.e., Roman swords, was a low-density iron sponge-like material. This sponge-like iron was then pounded to shape, densify, and remove impurities. Bronze was superior to the iron produced commonly, so why did iron ultimately replace bronze? Bronze weapons were indeed of higher quality than the common iron weapons typically produced. However, tin, which is required for the production of bronze, is not abundantly available. As a consequence, bronze weapons were the weapons utilized by nobles, royalty, pharaohs, etc. The common foot soldier was not going to possess bronze weapons; there were not enough to go around. Unlike tin, iron ore is readily available. So, although inferior to bronze, an army of hundreds or thousands could be equipped with iron weapons, which was not practical with bronze weapons. So, the ability to produce large numbers of iron weapons overcame the advantages of bronze. Eventually, time and further development allowed for the production of these so-called legendary swords which supplanted bronze as the weapon material of choice for the nobility." But it's hard to find infos about this from other sources.

[@Usp_FearZz]

great videos about bronze age and history in general love it

[@thefisherking78]

Great as always!

[@annamosier1950]

very good info that we need

[@m.streicher8286]

"Cultural encounter" is my new favorite euphemism

[@BazNard]

Superb

[@heimdallr221]

Bautiful video as always Davis ! Could I please know the awesome calm music you use in many of your videos ? In this one, the music plays around 2 minute. Thank you !

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much. That track is by Lombus. I use his stuff in most videos - along with other artists. He mainly does video game music and that one is off the Survive the Nights Soundtrack. lombus.bandcamp.com/

[@icescrew1]

I hope your doing very very well monetarily. Your work deserves it. I'll be donating, in the purchase of your books. You get to the Four Corners ring me up. Interesting area, tour guide at you service sir.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much Michael

[@CatholicDragoon]

I feel like some overlap with the Koryos, bands of young warriors leaving their homelands to seek fame and fortune in far off lands. One could argue that these early mercenaries were just an evolution upon the older Koryos tradition.

[@MilordGaming]

What's the background song at 2:30?

[@patavinity1262]

Can anyone please tell me the origin of the extraordinary relief sculpture at 1:29?

[@daejavue69]

My curious mind always finds history , finding I go back to Anglo Saxons thrilled me but the early histories are also intriguing , like how was the forming of Bronze discovered especially as its an alloy of copper & tin ? Having been to Great Orme , North Wales where a discovery in a rubbish tip in the hill turned out to be a big BA copper mine which caverns & tunnels , is now a visitors attraction worth a visit .

[@josephphoenix1376]

Extremely Informative.... It seems the Sea Peoples Mystery?🤔Is closer and closer to being Solved?