Why Fear Is a Bigger Problem on an Ancient Battlefield Than a Modern One

The real killer on the ancient battle field was fear. Men in combat have their instinctive flighter fight responses held in delicate balance by a thin string of intellect. Continued stress increases the probability that someone within the ranks, will lose his nerve and run. Sometimes the actions of a single soldier are sufficient to forge the onset of panic in an entire unit. Once the integrity of the formation began to erode, the ancient soldier was at very great risk of death or injury.