Champion Warfare: Strategies and Tactics from History's Greatest Battles

By Fouad Sabry

What is Champion Warfare

Champion warfare refers to a type of battle, most commonly found in the epic poetry and myth of ancient history, in which the outcome of the conflict is determined by single combat, an individual duel between the best soldiers ("champions") from each opposing army. Champion warfare can also refer to a battle in which armies actually engage, but champions within the armies fight so effectively as to single-handedly carry the sway of battle, such as in the Iliad.

How you will benefit

(I) Insights, and validations about the following topics:

Chapter 1: Champion warfare

Chapter 2: Ajax the Great

Chapter 3: Battle

Chapter 4: Hector

Chapter 5: Goliath

Chapter 6: Pike (weapon)

Chapter 7: Duel

Chapter 8: Trial by combat

Chapter 9: Troy (film)

Chapter 10: Champion

(II) Answering the public top questions about champion warfare.

Who this book is for

Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of Champion Warfare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Billion Knowledgeable
• Release date: May 31, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 1: Champion warfare

Champion warfare is a term used to describe a type of battle that is most frequently seen in the epic poetry and myth of ancient history. In this type of battle, the best soldiers (referred to as champions) from each opposing army engage in a single combat that determines the outcome of the battle. Champion warfare is also the term used to describe a conflict in which armies genuinely combat but in which individual champions from the army dominate the action, as in the Iliad.

The epic conflict between Achilles and Hector is just one of many examples of champion combat in Homer's Iliad, though there are many more.

Ferdowsi's Shahnameh contains various episodes of champion warfare (Book of Kings).

The early volumes of Livy's history of Rome Ab Urbe Condita (From the Founding of the City), which include the tale of the illustrious triplets of the Horatii and Curiatii families and the great champion Horatius Cocles, frequently discuss champion warfare.

In the Chinese novels Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin, large-scale battles frequently start with champion combat.

The 1351 Battle of the Thirty between rival French dynasties served as a textbook example of chivalric conflict.

The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are two Indian epics that frequently include champion battle. Rama and his enemy Ravana play a key role in determining the latter's fate.

The conflict between David and Goliath in the Bible serves as an illustration of champion combat. Group champion combat, in which a certain number of champions from each side engaged in combat, also existed. This was demonstrated in the Battle of Gibeon, where General Abner, a supporter of King Ish-bosheth, ordered twelve champions to engage in combat against twelve warriors selected by General Joab from King David's army. The actual fights are described in 2 Samuel 2:12–17.)

Irish mythology frequently features the topic of champion warfare, specifically in the Ulster Cycle, with Cú Chulainn fighting many duels.

The primary theme of the Old High German Hildebrandslied is the champion struggle between a father and his son.

In the 1944 short tale Arena by American science fiction author Fredric Brown, a single human and a solitary evil alien battle it out to the death as the representatives of their respective species.

{End Chapter 1}

Chapter 2: Ajax the Great

Ajax (/ˈeɪdʒæks/) or Aias (/ˈaɪ.əs/; Ancient Greek: Αἴας, romanized: Aíās [aí̯.aːs], gen.

Αἴαντος Aíantos; archaic ΑΣϜΑϺ [aí̯.waːs]) He is also referred to as Telamonian Ajax (Αἴας ὁ Τελαμώνιος, recorded as Aivas Tlamunus in Etruscan), In Greater Ajax, similar as Ajax the Great, which sets him apart from Ajax, an Oileus's son, often referred to as Ajax the Smaller.

Ajax is the child of Telamon, who was the first husband of Periboea and the first child of Aeacus and Zeus. He is Achilles' cousin through his uncle Peleus (Telamon's brother), and he is Teucer's older half-brother.

His given name's derivation is unclear.

By folk etymology his name was said to come from the root of aiazō αἰάζω to lament, which means one who weeps; mourner".

In a passage from The Great Eoiae, Hesiod offered an alternative folk etymology, where Ajax receives his name when Heracles prays to Zeus that a son might be born to Telemon and Eriboea: Zeus sends an eagle (aetos αετός) as a sign, then requests that the parents rename their boy Ajax after the eagle, Heracles.

Ajax was depicted in Dares the Phrygian's narrative as mighty, indeed. His wavy, black hair was black and he had a great voice. He was completely unwavering and single-minded during the ensuing battle He was trained by the centaur Chiron, who had also trained Telamon, the father of Ajax, and Peleus, the father of Achilles. Chiron later passed away from a wound accidentally inflicted by Heracles, whom he was also training at the time. He was praised for being courageous, forceful, and strong as well as having a very high degree of battle intelligence. Ajax leads his army while brandishing a huge shield made of seven calfskin covered with bronze. Ajax is the only major character on either side to not receive any significant assistance from any of the gods who take part in the battles (aside from Agamemnon), although in book 13, Poseidon strikes Ajax with his staff, restoring his strength. This is significant because Ajax is unharmed in any of the battles described in the Iliad. Ajax, in contrast to Diomedes, Agamemnon, and Achilles, appears to be a mostly defensive warrior who helped protect Patroclus' body as well as the Greek camp and ships. He frequently appears to be covering the Achaeans' retreat when the Trojans are in the offensive. Notably, despite being one of the most deadly heroes in the entire poem, Ajax lacks an aristeia showing him attacking.

Ajax stands out in the Iliad for having a lot of stamina and bravery, as evidenced by his two battles with Hector. Ajax and Hector are matched up by lot in Book 7 for a battle that lasts the majority of the day. Hector fights until the heralds, acting on Zeus's orders, declare a draw, after which the two combatants exchange gifts: Hector gives Ajax his sharp sword and Ajax gives Hector a purple sash. Ajax initially prevails in the fight, wounding Hector with his spear and knocking him down with a large stone.

Hector engages in combat with the Greeks among the ships after breaking into the Mycenaean camp in their second clash. Hector nearly perishes when Ajax throws a massive rock at him in Book 14. Hector returns to fight the ships in Book 15 after Apollo has given him his strength back. The Trojan troops are largely repelled by Ajax, who leaps from ship to ship while brandishing a massive spear as a weapon. Hector and Ajax fight once more in Book 16. Ajax is obliged to flee when Hector disarms him (though Ajax is unharmed) since he can see that Zeus is obviously siding with Hector. One Greek ship is successfully set afire by Hector and the Trojans as the conclusion of an assault that nearly ends the war. Ajax is to blame for Phorcys' and other Trojan rulers' demise.

Ajax frequently engaged in combat alongside his bow-wielding brother Teucer. Ajax would use his great shield as Teucer waited in the background, dispatching enemy Trojans.

Due to his conflict with Agamemnon, Achilles was not present throughout these confrontations. In Book 9, Agamemnon and the other Mycenaean leaders send Ajax, Odysseus, and Phoenix to Achilles' tent in an effort to make amends and persuade him to fight again. Ajax speaks honestly and is warmly welcomed, but he is unable to persuade Achilles.

Hector tries to take Patroclus' body after his death. Menelaus and Ajax help Ajax repel the Trojans and retrieve the body with his chariot, but the Trojans have already robbed Patroclus of Achilles' armor. It has become a proverb that Ajax prayed to Zeus to clear the fog from the battle so that they could fight or perish in broad daylight. Hyginus claims that Ajax killed a total of 28 persons at Troy.

Ajax and the majority of other Greek warriors are still alive as the Iliad comes to an end. Ajax and Odysseus are the heroes who fight against the Trojans to win possession of Achilles' body so they can bury it with his companion, Patroclus, after Paris kills him (aided by Apollo). Ajax is said to be shown in the Belvedere Torso, a