`` Weapons, Technology Determination And Ancient Warfare ``

Technological Determination and Hoplites Logically, it makes sense that the army with the most advanced technology would win battles against a less equipped one. However, in his paper titled â€Å"Weapons, Technology Determination and Ancient Warfare,† Fernando Echeverria Rey brings to light the paradox of this idea in ancient warfare, as well as undermine the modern idea of ‘technological determinism’ by claiming that it does not have an ancient equivalent. His argument approaches the study of ancient warfare from different perspectives as he â€Å"[offers] alternative ways to explain technological and tactical change in warfare† (Echeverria 2010: 24). Echeverria Rey makes strong points for his arguments and supports his ideas clearly. While†¦show more content†¦While the ‘political’ level and ‘structural’ level entail that â€Å"ancient communities were determined by military factors† (Echeverria 2010:22) and that these military factors â€Å"produce and explain broader socio-political change† (Echeverria 2010:22) respectively. By focusing in on the ‘battlefield’ level in his paper, Echeverria Rey stresses the distinction between these three levels and maintains clarity in his argument. He supports his argument by also putting â€Å"to the test the assumptions, that first some kinds of weapons and tactics are objectively ‘superior’ to others and that secondly, societies are always trying to create or import such superior weapons and tactics† (Echeverria 2010:24.) While hoplites may not be the epidemy of ancient warfare technological innovation, they are an important part of the history of ancient warfare and exemplify Echeverria Rey’s argument. A hoplite is â€Å"commonly interpreted as the quintessential Greek heavy armed infantry man (Echeverria 2012:292). Originally, the hoplite soldiers were â€Å"generally expected to provide his own arms and armor† (Bertosa 2003:361). Because of the monetary demand of being a hoplite soldier, a hoplite had to provide their own equipment such as a spears or shields, the majority of early hoplites were wealthy farm owners whose main goal was to protect their own land from enemies. The role of a hoplite was critical in ancient civilizationShow MoreRelatedThe Invention Of The World War II1367 Words   |  6 Pagescause and a means of solving political conflict (Military Technology). The technology used in a war determines the strategies, methods, and almost every other aspect of the war (Military Technology). There have been many pivotal points in warfare driven by advancements in technology. 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