War only goes down when the latest one killed the existing armies too effectively, so that it takes a generation until the armies can be replenished and the mem

War only goes down when the latest one killed the existing armies too effectively, so that it takes a generation until the armies can be replenished and the memory of the realities of war forgotten. Disease like the plague can also cause a reduction in war numbers since people have other things to worry about than conquering or destroying their neighbors.