07-23-2010, 05:26 PM
Stories and legends can have great persistence, but the social and technological structures supporting the original story don't necessarily follow. Military traditions are an amalgam of social and technological traits, not just stories.
India may still have tales of Alexander, but when was the last sarissa used in the subcontinent?
Homer was a foundation stone of Western Civilization, but no one understood a boar's tooth helmet during Classical times (AFAIK) all the way up to modern archeology.
Tales of Robin Hood persisted, as did knowledge of the 100 Year's War; but attempts to revive the longbow (lasting up into the 18th century) all foundered on technological and social differences.
India may still have tales of Alexander, but when was the last sarissa used in the subcontinent?
Homer was a foundation stone of Western Civilization, but no one understood a boar's tooth helmet during Classical times (AFAIK) all the way up to modern archeology.
Tales of Robin Hood persisted, as did knowledge of the 100 Year's War; but attempts to revive the longbow (lasting up into the 18th century) all foundered on technological and social differences.
Felix Wang
