| Before the dawn of civilization and the advent of | | | | stereotypical image of them as barbaric savages |
| technology, war was a small-scale affair, with | | | | comes from fanatical Viking warriors known as |
| evidence dating back some 12,000 years. But | | | | “berserkers”. Their purpose was to protect their |
| researchers say most societies throughout history | | | | king and lead the warriors into battle, so they often |
| fought constantly for various reasons. Some | | | | worked themselves into a frenzy before a battle. |
| psychologists say humans are inherently violent, and | | | | They howled and wore bearskins, believing that the |
| warfare creates an outlet for their aggression. Others | | | | animal’s spirit would give them strength. |
| say most general populace are reluctant to go to war, | | | | English Knights |
| and that it is their leaders with a need for power who | | | | A knight is a “gentleman soldier” or a member |
| cause wars. Theories abound as to the reasons of | | | | of the warrior class of Medieval Europe. The path to |
| going to war, but the fact is that warrior cultures have | | | | knighthood began at age seven, when boys were sent |
| existed in many ancient societies around the world. | | | | for training that included instruction in courtesy, |
| Spartans | | | | cleanliness and religion. After seven years of this, the |
| The Spartan Army was the military force of Sparta, | | | | boy would serve as a personal attendant to a knight, |
| one of the leading city-states of ancient Greece. | | | | who would teach him horse riding, hunting and other |
| Citizens’ primary obligation was to be good soldiers. | | | | skills of war. He would be ready for knighthood in his |
| Drilled from infancy, the Spartans were one of the | | | | late teenage years. Chivalry was important as a knight, |
| most feared military forces in history. When boys | | | | so he would have to swear to abide by the knightly |
| reach the age of seven, they are sent for military | | | | code: “protect the weak, defenceless and helpless, |
| training where they learn to endure physical pain, and | | | | and fight for the general welfare of all”. One of the |
| lack of food and clothing. If they are caught stealing, | | | | greatest signs of chivalry was the flying of colored |
| they are punished not for stealing, but for getting | | | | banners, to display power and to distinguish knights in |
| caught. In Sparta’s heyday, it was commonly | | | | battle. |
| accepted that “one Spartan was worth several | | | | Samurai |
| men of any other state”. At the Battle of | | | | These highly skilled Japanese warriors came into |
| Thermopylae led by King Leonidas, they were said to | | | | existence in the 12th century and grew in importance |
| be vastly outnumbered – 7,000 men to 250,000, | | | | and influence when powerful landowners hired them |
| although modern scholars reject these figures as | | | | for protection. Although they used a range of |
| unrealistic. | | | | weapons, such as bows and arrows, spears and guns, |
| Vikings | | | | their most famous weapon and their symbol was the |
| These Norse (Scandinavian) warriors raided and | | | | sword. During a certain period, they were even |
| colonized wide areas of Europe from the late eighth to | | | | allowed to behead a commoner who had offended |
| the early 11th century. The period of Viking expansion, | | | | them. The Samurai lived according to the ethic code of |
| known as the Viking Age, forms a major part of the | | | | “bushido” or “the way of the warrior”. |
| medieval history of Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland and the | | | | Strongly Confucian in nature, “bushido” stressed |
| rest of Europe in general. Contrary to popular images | | | | concepts such as loyalty to one’s master, self |
| of the Vikings, their helmets did not have horns, but | | | | discipline and respectful, ethical behavior. |
| they were brave, loyal and often merciless. The | | | | |