The original classification of the author of this book, Oliver Hogg, was based on the theory of motivated aggression shown by humans throughout historical development. He examines the types of personal weapons (swords, spears, clubs, bows), armor (chain mail, tunics, helmets), types of military vehicles (catapults, crossbows, howitzers), various types of guns, ships (biremes, triremes, etc.), varieties explosives (initiating, propelling, high explosives). Hogg describes the military organizations of the Ancient World: Egyptian militias, the "royal regiment" of Assyria, the fleet of Carthage, the Greek phalanx and the legions of Rome - one of the best armies in the world. The book includes a large number of rare illustrations.