It is interesting that Greg mentioned John Keegan's book, I have just
recently read it and many of his observations on how different societies
define war are fascinating and applicable above and beyond this debate
on Humakt. The distinction between "real war' and "true war", one fought
all out to the bitter end the other contained within defined "civilised"
rules of war (I wish the terms were less confusing as I can't remember
which is which), is also relevant to how say the Lunar Empire fights
compared to how the constantly feuding Heortlings fight. The Lunars are
appalled by the Heortlings' inability to settle anything without it
involving dozens of people trying to kill each other while the
Heortlings are horrified at the death toll the Lunars regularly accept
on the battlefield. Each considers the other "barbaric" for not
following the required rules of war.
It would be interesting to ask how the two Death worshipping cults,
Humakt and Yanafal Tarnils, on opposite sides of that conflict would
that difference of opinion. Or maybe that is why Heortlings keep those
scary guys around, hey they may be crazy but they kow how to fight fire
with fire!
Harry
Greg Stafford wrote:
>I recommend that everyone read Keegan's book on the History of Warfare to
>see the differences between the way normal people act and think in battle
>versus the ones that are going to stand and fight until they die.
>