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Ok, so I didn't know where else to ask such a question, so the only logical thing to do was to pot it in the blog section =). Been a while since I posted here, was prolonged by my interest in my past blog posts and got distracted re-reading all of the stuff I have posted in here.... ANYWAYS
So my friend and I got into a discussion about the greatest warriors throughout all of history and time so I thought I would open it up to all of the well-educated and very opinionated crowd of Teamliquid forum posters.
So my general question is... who were the greatest soldiers throughout all of time/history. Due to my disinterest in firearms when it comes to war..... Please stick to Pre-1000AD.
I am looking for the badasses of their day
I am also looking for warriors from all continents. Also if you know of some, who might not have been the most badass, but are still interesting/awsome in their own way please post. I also am kinda looking for information on some "famous warrior group" that I am not aware of....
For instance some of the warriors we came up with were
The Shaolin Monks
The Samurai Warriors
Spartan Hoplites
Mongols
Thanes
Roman Legionaries
Gladiators
Native American Comanches
Jaguar Warriors
Sarmatian Knights
I am looking for as interesting and unique as possible tho, so I hope we can get a little bit of history in here too.
So if anyone knows of a really interesting bunch, please post.
(also please keep fictional groups out... i dont want to read about the avengers or the justice league despite how cool and badass they are)
thanks to anyone who posts
 
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You must add in the Zaporozhian Cossacks. From the steppes of the Ukraine, these ancestors of Dimaga had awesome wizard robe type outfits and were one of the most badass mercenary-type militaristic people ever. Cossack history is incredibly complicated though.
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The Theban Sacred Band. Under Epimonandos, they were the first to break the Spartan phalanx at the battle of Leuktra. They were especially famous for fighting beside one another not only as compatriots, but lovers.
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Just watch "The Deadliest Warrior" :D
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You do realize that most of this is fantasy as a group's "badassery" is difficult to judge in historical terms.
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There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic.
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On October 04 2012 05:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic.
Probably the Mongols, which are already on the OP's list.
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the first thing i thought of were the jedis when i read the title. 
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You might be thinking of Sarmation Archers, were mounted archers, were supposedly some of the best. Again i dont know how one goes about making these claims, but I am pretty sure I have read that somewhere.
Also, obviously I was just giving a general term "badass" to mean that they were renowned for their skill/ability/dedication etc... seeming sort of superhuman in their fetes or accomplishments.
Obviously this was not meant as a completely serious criteria, that I wanted to know that they were "badasses" thanks for being a prude.
Also the Theban band was actually SUPER interesting.
Stuff like that is sooooo extremely interesting to me. I mean seriously, such a unique idea, better than fiction imo.
<3 the strange facts like these, especially in regards to "warriors" you know who were the as previously noted "badasses" of their day. Now a days could you imagine an all-homosexual regiment of the army? And to top it off they were one of the elite regiments?
Stuff like this is just so interesting.
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On October 04 2012 05:39 Iranon wrote:Show nested quote +On October 04 2012 05:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic. Probably the Mongols, which are already on the OP's list.
Nah, they were European barbarians, if I recall correctly. There were around in the era when there was an East and West Roman Empire.
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Also I cant watch Deadliest Warrior imo because soo often they give the results and its like "wwwhhhhaaaaaaa noooooo way"
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On October 04 2012 07:29 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:Show nested quote +On October 04 2012 05:39 Iranon wrote:On October 04 2012 05:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic. Probably the Mongols, which are already on the OP's list. Nah, they were European barbarians, if I recall correctly. There were around in the era when there was an East and West Roman Empire.
Pretty sure your talking about the Sarmatian Knights
Also i know nothing about the templars, except that they were obviously fighting for religion and taking back the "promise land" of multiple religions and thats why Israel is one of the most highly militarized countries in existance...cause they have been at war since time started....yay religion
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On October 04 2012 07:47 MaestroSC wrote:Show nested quote +On October 04 2012 07:29 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:On October 04 2012 05:39 Iranon wrote:On October 04 2012 05:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic. Probably the Mongols, which are already on the OP's list. Nah, they were European barbarians, if I recall correctly. There were around in the era when there was an East and West Roman Empire. Pretty sure your talking about the Sarmatian Knights Also i know nothing about the templars, except that they were obviously fighting for religion and taking back the "promise land" of multiple religions and thats why Israel is one of the most highly militarized countries in existance...cause they have been at war since time started....yay religion
Meh. We're humans. If we couldn't hate each other over what peace-loving god we chose to believe in, we would find something else. Like skin color.
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On October 04 2012 08:04 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:Show nested quote +On October 04 2012 07:47 MaestroSC wrote:On October 04 2012 07:29 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:On October 04 2012 05:39 Iranon wrote:On October 04 2012 05:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic. Probably the Mongols, which are already on the OP's list. Nah, they were European barbarians, if I recall correctly. There were around in the era when there was an East and West Roman Empire. Pretty sure your talking about the Sarmatian Knights Also i know nothing about the templars, except that they were obviously fighting for religion and taking back the "promise land" of multiple religions and thats why Israel is one of the most highly militarized countries in existance...cause they have been at war since time started....yay religion Meh. We're humans. If we couldn't hate each other over what peace-loving god we chose to believe in, we would find something else. Like skin color.
completely agree. "We" will always hate "them" and "they" will always hate "us" regardless. The only time people will ever get along with eachother is when aliens attack...then there will be a new "them" for "us" to hate.
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If I may be allowed to bring up warriors post 1000-AD, but not using firearms, I've gotta give my vote to the Swiss pikemen, they owned just about everyone!
The interesting thing about these guys is that they wore very light or no armor, so that they could move fast. Then they would wheel as a unit, keep all their very long pikes pointed at the enemy and charge in, unlike the Greek phalanx which uses long spears too but moves much slower due to heavier shields and armor. This one would strike first and strike hard; enemies would be hit by a forest of spears crashing into their flank.
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My only "problem" (not that its a problem just more of a certain personal disregard) with the Swiss pikeman, is that he is very lackluster on an individual basis.
A battalion of Swiss pikemen...pretty cool.... but a single pikeman kinda boring.
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Basically my current top 8 most interesting list (pure because im going on an individual basis and not Pairs -or i would include the Sacred band of Thebes, or other warriors who were stronger as a unit)
is...
Samurai,
Shaolin Monk
Celtic Berserker
Thracian Gladiator
Koa Polynesian Warrior
Zande tribe warrior
mongol
Persian immortal.
REALLY debated adding in Aztec Jaguar warrior, japanese Sohei, Japanese Shinobi, Spartan, but alas in an attempt to be somewhat diverse they did not make the cut. =/. still all really cool and interesting tho
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Norse Berserks.
Running into battle screaming and foaming with little to no armor except an bear-skin and wielding axes? Pretty impressive and awesome if you ask me.
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the cossacks were pretty badass. don't think the best or anythiing, but they were bad enough that the russians wanted nothing to do with them for a good while
the roman legionares were pretty intense though. I always found the samauris to be fascinating as well.
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On October 04 2012 07:29 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:Show nested quote +On October 04 2012 05:39 Iranon wrote:On October 04 2012 05:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic. Probably the Mongols, which are already on the OP's list. Nah, they were European barbarians, if I recall correctly. There were around in the era when there was an East and West Roman Empire.
You talking about the Huns possibly? Attila and his crew? They were all for the horse archery and ravaging their way across Europe, the usual lark.
Also, no one has mentioned the Zulus yet?
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This blog has so much of aoe2 in it *nostalgia*
Polish Hussars - unstoppable cavalry between 16th and 18th century. Those guys could destroy any force on open terrain. I don't think that they ever lost a fight. iirc there were a couple of draws because opponents hid in forests for few weeks.
Also Samurais weren't really that bad ass if they were to fight some European folk they would probably lose. They had too many rules when it came to the fight. And katanas are nothing compared to sabers.
edit: also Mamluks (they were pretty good too iirc)
and I agree that cossacks were fucking bad ass (their mentality and lifestyle)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reply_of_the_Zaporozhian_Cossacks
yeah...
@down
best single unit: British Archer - 13 range (or so)
can take down a castle by himself (takes some time tho) :D
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Mongols if we are talking group fighting units.
To smart, to organized, to deadly
Not sure who to pick if we're talking single fighting unit.
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This is way too generic and vague for my tastes. Most of these aren't specific "warrior" types restricted to a very specific time and place, but sort of "warrior cultures" most of which existed and changed over many centuries.
Take the Roman legionairres (something I know quite a bit about just b/c I study Roman history). A Roman legionairre from the mid-late 1st century BC will look and act very different from the Roman legionairres of say, the late 3rd century. Both are "roman legionairres" but their equipment, organizational style, and even race and language would be different.
I think I know what you mean by roman legionairre; a guy with a spear (pilum) a big square shield (scutum) and some kind of sword (usually a gladius variant, sometimes they might have longer) some sort of greeves and some kind of chest armor (the lorica of a legionairre evolved quite a bit over time). Even then though, there are issues, as that is sort of like saying Zerg or Protoss is a cool unit. A legion is comprised of a bunch of different roles and equipment, so that needs to be better specified.
I know this blog is just for funsies, and I'm not trying to be "that guy" but maybe learning more about these different "warrior cultures" is what you were wanting to know.
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On October 04 2012 07:29 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:Show nested quote +On October 04 2012 05:39 Iranon wrote:On October 04 2012 05:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
There was this group of horse-archers whose name I don't remember. Either way, their archery was legendary. Even the current best archer in the world cannot even match their rank and file in terms of sheer accuracy. Real frightening chaps. Also, there were a lot of rumors about witchcraft and such that they did back in the day.
So, to recap, they are unnaturally accurate archers that ride on horses and were believed to have a fondness for black magic. Probably the Mongols, which are already on the OP's list. Nah, they were European barbarians, if I recall correctly. There were around in the era when there was an East and West Roman Empire.
Are you talking about the Cantabri? They would ride on horses in a circle and the closest side would shoot while the further side would "reload" (sort of like a revolver).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantabri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantabrian_circle
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On October 05 2012 06:19 HardlyNever wrote:
This is way too generic and vague for my tastes. Most of these aren't specific "warrior" types restricted to a very specific time and place, but sort of "warrior cultures" most of which existed and changed over many centuries.
Take the Roman legionairres (something I know quite a bit about just b/c I study Roman history). A Roman legionairre from the mid-late 1st century BC will look and act very different from the Roman legionairres of say, the late 3rd century. Both are "roman legionairres" but their equipment, organizational style, and even race and language would be different.
I think I know what you mean by roman legionairre; a guy with a spear (pilum) a big square shield (scutum) and some kind of sword (usually a gladius variant, sometimes they might have longer) some sort of greeves and some kind of chest armor (the lorica of a legionairre evolved quite a bit over time). Even then though, there are issues, as that is sort of like saying Zerg or Protoss is a cool unit. A legion is comprised of a bunch of different roles and equipment, so that needs to be better specified.
I know this blog is just for funsies, and I'm not trying to be "that guy" but maybe learning more about these different "warrior cultures" is what you were wanting to know.
I feel like if you have such vast knowledge on the subject now would be a perfect time to show off and enlighten the rest of us.
I completely agree and understand your point tho. I understand that armor and weapons evolved as well as different roles being outfitted differently. But as you said, you seem to be pretty much summing up what most people immediately think of when they say legionaire. If nothing else couldnt you just assume he means the most advanced version of the legionaire? When it comes to gear at least?
Also one of my favorites would be the Berserker. Tho honestly i wouldnt pick them against most armies, as cool as they are. The idea of "we wear no armor, because if we are meant to die, we are meant to die" and not using ranged weapons because they believe that killing from afar is for cowards... pretty badass... but not necessarily the most intelligent approach to war lolol.
Completely awsome, but complete insane and illogical also. which is why they are so cool.
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EPT
