Some costs are hard to pass on, of course. Farmers who are not at their fields aren't growing food if they're in the army (in extended campaigns, this is significant). This is one of the reasons that the Orlanthi mostly raid -- they don't hve the resources for sustained conflicts. Trade is disrupted. Magical rituals may not have the people required to preform them if they are all off on campaign with disasterous effects on the Home Front.
Loot and the like are useful and its always wise to make sure that a defeated foe cannot rise again in short order -- IF you have the strength to do so. Most Orlanthi groups just don't have the throw-weight to exterminate their enemies (and besides, the neighbors would talk). Only something big and well organized like the Western Kingdoms, Lunars and the Karalori (to name a few) can really engage in sustained warfare at the moment. Why? Becaues its too expensive... =)
Transport of food and supplies in ancient times was always the greatest expense of any organized force. Most campaigns were conducted in close proximity to a decent port or navigable river. Oxcarts have a problem y'see -- if you're travelling more than 150 miles by oxcart, you need another oxcart to provide fodder for them (and, of course, more oxcarts for those oxcarts and... so on. Oxen, unlike horses, can't walk and chew cud at the same time.
Jeff
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