08-15-2001, 06:20 PM
Salve,<br>
<br>
Good point made on the diagnosis of PTSD and shell shock/battle fatigue as cowardous behaviour before and even after WW1. The herding and remorseless slaughter of people, like cattle, is however attributed by Keegan not to the settled societies, but to the horse nomads (<i> History of warfare</i>, 179-217). This did not prevent the Romans though from building up a reputation for ferocity. There was little about terror that the Mongols could teach to the Roman state.<br>
<br>
After checking a number of references I find it hard to pinpoint anything that could resemble specific battle fatigue. There are plenty of complaints of troops engaged in long or arduous campaigning (Alexander's veterans in India, Roman troops in Spanish campaigns of the republic, mutineers of 14 CE), but these are caused by numerous reasons which do not seem to include battle fatigue as such. Troops could grow war weary and homesick, but I haven't yet traced dow a sign that more specifically conforms to battle fatigue.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Good point made on the diagnosis of PTSD and shell shock/battle fatigue as cowardous behaviour before and even after WW1. The herding and remorseless slaughter of people, like cattle, is however attributed by Keegan not to the settled societies, but to the horse nomads (<i> History of warfare</i>, 179-217). This did not prevent the Romans though from building up a reputation for ferocity. There was little about terror that the Mongols could teach to the Roman state.<br>
<br>
After checking a number of references I find it hard to pinpoint anything that could resemble specific battle fatigue. There are plenty of complaints of troops engaged in long or arduous campaigning (Alexander's veterans in India, Roman troops in Spanish campaigns of the republic, mutineers of 14 CE), but these are caused by numerous reasons which do not seem to include battle fatigue as such. Troops could grow war weary and homesick, but I haven't yet traced dow a sign that more specifically conforms to battle fatigue.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
