Editing Weapon (section)

=== Ancient history ===
[[File:Ballista-quadrirotis.jpeg|thumb|A four-wheeled [[ballista]] drawn by armored [[cataphract]] horses, {{circa|400}}]]
The earliest [[List of ancient weapons|ancient weapons]] were evolutionary improvements of late [[Neolithic]] implements, but significant improvements in materials and crafting techniques led to a series of revolutions in [[military technology]].

The development of metal tools began with [[copper]] during the [[Copper Age]] (about 3,300&nbsp;BC) and was followed by the [[Bronze Age]], leading to the creation of the [[Bronze Age sword]] and similar weapons.

During the Bronze Age, the first defensive structures and [[fortification]]s appeared as well,<ref name=ashow-siegecraft>{{cite web |title=A Short History of War |author=Gabriel, Richard A. |author2=Metz, Karen S. |url=http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/gabrmetz/gabr0001.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000226045130/http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/gabrmetz/gabr0001.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2000 |access-date=2010-01-08 |website=au.af.mil}}</ref> indicating an increased need for security. Weapons designed to breach fortifications followed soon after, such as the [[battering ram]], which was in use by 2500&nbsp;BC.<ref name=ashow-siegecraft />

The development of [[History of ferrous metallurgy|ironworking]] around 1300&nbsp;BC in Greece had an important impact on the development of ancient weapons. It was not the introduction of early [[Iron Age sword]]s, however, as they were not superior to their bronze predecessors, but rather the [[domestication of the horse]] and widespread use of [[spoke]]d wheels by {{circa|2000 BC}}.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.bookrags.com/research/wheel-and-axle-woi |title=Wheel and Axle Summary |publisher=BookRags.com |year=2010 |access-date=2011-06-13}}</ref> This led to the creation of the light, horse-drawn [[chariot]], whose improved mobility proved important during this era.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History Of The Horse-drawn Carriage |url=https://www.cookscarriages.com/history-of-the-horse-drawn-carriage |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.cookscarriages.com |language=en}}</ref> Spoke-wheeled chariot usage peaked around 1300&nbsp;BC and then declined, ceasing to be militarily relevant by the 4th century BC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/ss/stories/s70986.htm |title=Science Show: The Horse in History |publisher=abc.net.au |date=1999-11-13 |access-date=2011-06-13}}</ref>

[[Cavalry]] developed once horses were bred to support the weight of a human.<ref>{{cite book | last=Keegan | first=John | title=A History of Warfare | publisher=Pimlico | year=1993 | isbn=978-0-7126-9850-4}}</ref> The horse extended the range and increased the speed of attacks.
Alexander's conquest saw the increased use of spears and shields in the Middle East and Western Asia  as a result Greek culture spread which saw many Greek and other European weapons be used in these regions and as a result many of these weapons were adapted to fit their new use in war

In addition to land-based weaponry, [[warship]]s, such as the [[trireme]], were in use by the 7th century BC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/war/Trireme.htm |title=The Trireme (1/2) |publisher=Mlahanas.de |access-date=2011-06-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619175837/http://mlahanas.de/Greeks/war/Trireme.htm |archive-date=2011-06-19 }}</ref>
During the first [[First Punic War]], the use of advanced warships contributed to a Roman victory over the Carthaginians.