games-pc empire earth Manuel D’Utilisation
Empire Earth
67
Bronze Age (2,000 BC – 0 AD)
The production of bronze commenced when separate ores containing copper and tin were first
smelted together. This innovation may have been accidental, but the value of the stronger
metal was not lost on ancient armorers. In time, the best proportion of tin to copper was
found (about 1 part in 10). This discovery was an early triumph in metallurgy.
smelted together. This innovation may have been accidental, but the value of the stronger
metal was not lost on ancient armorers. In time, the best proportion of tin to copper was
found (about 1 part in 10). This discovery was an early triumph in metallurgy.
The Bronze Age marked the appearance of both the sword – the first weapon not to have a
secondary use as a tool – and the phalanx. The phalanx was a block formation of armored
infantrymen who each carried a long, bronze-tipped spear called a sarissa. Both Philip II of
Macedon and his son and successor, Alexander the Great, used the phalanx to devastating
effect in their campaigns.
secondary use as a tool – and the phalanx. The phalanx was a block formation of armored
infantrymen who each carried a long, bronze-tipped spear called a sarissa. Both Philip II of
Macedon and his son and successor, Alexander the Great, used the phalanx to devastating
effect in their campaigns.
In an effort to protect their cities, fortification methods were improved during the Bronze Age.
Siege equipment therefore evolved as well. The Assyrians pioneered the use of covered rams
and the Greeks made use of stone throwers and siege towers. During an attack on Rhodes,
the Macedonians made a siege tower so large that more than 3,000 men were required to
move it up to the city walls.
Siege equipment therefore evolved as well. The Assyrians pioneered the use of covered rams
and the Greeks made use of stone throwers and siege towers. During an attack on Rhodes,
the Macedonians made a siege tower so large that more than 3,000 men were required to
move it up to the city walls.
Medicine, as well, made considerable progress in the Bronze Age. The Code of Hammurabi,
which encapsulated the legal system of ancient Babylon, included laws that dealt with the
practice of medicine. Egyptian papyri describing folk remedies and surgical techniques also
date from this period. Later, in Greece, the role of the supernatural in medicine was down-
played until, by the time of Hippocrates in the 5th Century BC, disease was being regarded as
a bodily affliction with natural causes. Around 300 BC, the Greeks established a medical
school in Alexandria, which continued to be a center of learning throughout the Roman era.
which encapsulated the legal system of ancient Babylon, included laws that dealt with the
practice of medicine. Egyptian papyri describing folk remedies and surgical techniques also
date from this period. Later, in Greece, the role of the supernatural in medicine was down-
played until, by the time of Hippocrates in the 5th Century BC, disease was being regarded as
a bodily affliction with natural causes. Around 300 BC, the Greeks established a medical
school in Alexandria, which continued to be a center of learning throughout the Roman era.
Formal education of the young can trace its roots back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia,
but it was the Greeks who standardized and expanded its role. Whereas earlier schools were
devoted to training scribes or teaching religion, schools in Greece taught physical education,
literacy, good conduct, and other subjects. Higher education also developed in Greece, open
to all who had both spare time and money. The most famous example of the day was the
Academy, founded by Plato circa 387 BC.
but it was the Greeks who standardized and expanded its role. Whereas earlier schools were
devoted to training scribes or teaching religion, schools in Greece taught physical education,
literacy, good conduct, and other subjects. Higher education also developed in Greece, open
to all who had both spare time and money. The most famous example of the day was the
Academy, founded by Plato circa 387 BC.