History of warfare

The history of warfare is the history of war and its evolution and development over time. The study of the history of war is known as military history.

One method of dividing such as massive topic is by cutting it into periods of time. While useful this method tends to be inaccurate and differences in geography mean there is little uniformity. What might be described as ancient warfare is still practiced in a number of parts of the world. Other eras that are distinct in European history, such as the era of Medieval warfare, may have little relevance in East Asia.

Prehistoric warfare: Warfare before the development of centralized states.
Ancient warfare: Primarily infantry warfare in the era before the stirrup.
Medieval warfare: Cavalry dominate after the introduction of the stirrup but are displaced because of increasing numbers of English longbowmen and, finally, the development of gunpowder.
Gunpowder warfare: Infantry, cavalry, and artillery work in unison.
Industrial warfare: Rifling, steel, and the internal combustion engine greatly change the face of warfare.
Modern warfare: Rapid communications, increased automation.

The history of war can also be divided by the type of weapon used.

• Cavalry warfare
• Infantry warfare
• Submarine warfare
• Ski warfare
• Chemical warfare
• Nuclear warfare
• Biological warfare