ABSTRACT

This chapter aims to separate what is assumed from what is known about warfare in western Eurasia, and introduces chariots. Early in the second millennium BC warfare—at least on a small scale—was apparently more familiar in the Eurasian steppes than it was in India, temperate Europe and the Greek mainland. As for warfare on the Eurasian steppe and in temperate Europe, many Indo-Europeanists still accept Marija Gimbutas' thesis that in the fifth, fourth and early third millennia BC steppe warriors on horseback invaded Europe, took over large parts of it, and introduced militarism into what had until then been a peaceful society. A heightened militarism seems to have appeared first in the horse country of the steppe and southern Caucasia, and it is probable — although not demonstrable—that early in the second millennium BC a new form of warfare had begun there, in which chariot-borne archers played the central role.