In ancient times, how did humans overcome their self-preservation instincts to engage in hand-to-hand combat during wars?
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Don’t forget that the essence of self preservation is ‘Fight or Flight’. I’ll bet that there was plenty of tendency for flight before battle started and more seasoned soldiers would be engaged in looking out for potential fleers and putting the fear of God into them should they think of doing a bunk.
Just to add in one factor that I haven’t seen mentioned yet; depending on the culture, they were likely quite drunk and/or a version of high on some sort of plant
For the most part they didn’t. Infantry charging headlong at other infantry is made up. It doesn’t *work,* because people get winded, it’s a great way to get your own side trampled, and they don’t have the mass of horses. And it’s also likely to get everyone on the front line killed. Getting wounded with no hospital is *bad.*
Also, almost no one fought with swords. They’re expensive and require specific training. Nobility or reputed warriors dueling during battle did happen. Average levy soldiers, no.
Most ancient and medieval battles likely resembled modern riots where people have shields and spend most of the time lobbing insults and projectiles at each other.
For the most part they didn’t. Infantry charging headlong at other infantry is made up. It doesn’t *work,* because people get winded, it’s a great way to get your own side trampled, and they don’t have the mass of horses. And it’s also likely to get everyone on the front line killed. Getting wounded with no hospital is *bad.*
Also, almost no one fought with swords. They’re expensive and require specific training. Nobility or reputed warriors dueling during battle did happen. Average levy soldiers, no.
Most ancient and medieval battles likely resembled modern riots where people have shields and spend most of the time lobbing insults and projectiles at each other.
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