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Dec. 11, 2009 The question of how civilization evolved and why has fascinated me for years. I don’t mean those in close proximity which imitates and modifies a previously established one, but one that evolves in a vacuum so to speak. The Inca’s, Aztec, and Maya’s fit into this category. So too do the Chinese. All of these civilizations started out through the expelling of barbarian tribes and the imposition of a central authority. Both were held together through military might, a systematic policy of expanding their borders bringing about an ever increasing field of knowledge; both are unique. Native armiees in South American during pre colombian times usually commenced operations first with first peace overtures with tribes they wanted to bring into the empire followed by the spreading of rumours regarding malevolent spirits coupled with actual staged events in order to reinforce the general aura of fear. This was followed by reconnaissance where the individual tribes attitudes were studied so as to ascertain if it was possible to pit one against the other etc. When all of this was complete the actual warfare would commence. In China none of the above was the norm. Instead massed armies in the tens of thousands would approach one another in what they hoped was a field of their chosing. Armies were divided in to three formations. These formations consisted of the infantry, the cavalry and the chariots. An elaborate dance would occur where the formation would change in order to suit conditions. The sheet size of these armies must have been something to behold. There are accounts of instructions given to generals on how to tell what type of force was approaching; in the case of chariots by observing the dust cloud kicked up as it would be sharp cloud high in the sky, while for cavalry the cloud would be low in the sky. For an infantry approach the general was instructed to watch for a varied spread out dust cloud pattern made by the woodcutters moving in front of the army. In order to spot a fast approaching army the general was told to look out for small animals bolting through the grass in order to escape.One can not but wonder how control was maintained over such a vast force.
It was to understand this that I set about designing games dealing with both the 'Spring and Autumn Warring States' period and on 'Han period' where the defending of the northern frontier against the barbarian was the prime consideration. I have considerable experience in this field having been published in the hobby industry for five years or so. Any one wanting a solo play a simulation of the warring states period should get in touch as I have rules that can be played with miniatures, or, if you are new to the hobby, or even if an old hand who does not have the required figures by mail or using a pen and paper one where the player fills simple forms to play an unseen opponent.
Read Mike Haran's essays on history at
http://www.geocities.com/manzikertca/
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