Monday, January 19, 2009

Quirky History

Today's news-feed by the BBC had something I couldn't resist commenting on.

There has been an archaeological discovery that suggests that Persia used poison gas on the Romans in the siege of a city in the 3rd century A.D.

(Full article here).

I've been taking the opportunity recently to listen to some podcasts, and ancient history is a recurring theme in my choices. (I'm especially enjoying "Hardcore History" by Dan Carlin)

It brings it home somewhat to know how similar the (political) circumstances between our modern wars, and the ancient ones were, and to know, further, that the ancient Roman legions faced the same lethal battle-tactic that my great-grandfather may have in WWI.

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