"In low tech warfare, the fiercest and most cohesive side wins..." That is true of modern warfare, as well. "If you have guns and your opponents have spears..

"In low tech warfare, the fiercest and most cohesive side wins..." That is true of modern warfare, as well. "If you have guns and your opponents have spears..." Sure, in an extremely asymmetric war, the folks with the missiles can relax the fierceness a bit. "Industrialization changed the balance." As war becomes more about tools, the economic efficiency of the underlying society matters more. However, very early in history it was the case that he with the best toys wins. Swords were never cheap, nor was the time it took to learn to use them. The importance of technology in pre-industrial societies can be understood by the frequency and severity of arms control in China and Japan. A bunch of motivated peasants with hoes are in a bad place vis-a-vis a few gentlemen with swords and steeds.