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Saturday, September 18, 2021

Sumerian Serendipity

While work has begun on a Sumerian project inspired by Graham Evan's To Ur is Human rules (see my First Impressions here), many questions remain unclear as I dive into a new, and unfamiliar period.

Imagine my relief when an advert for the above book recently popped into my Inbox.  This looks promising!  Well, little surprise that I quickly ordered a copy of this Soldiershop book from Amazon.  Being available in Kindle format, I received near instant gratification after having pressed the "Buy" button.

The author, Chris Flaherty, has produced a very interesting primer on the period.

The book is divided into the following thirteen chapters:

  • Chapter 1: Selecting Soldiers
  • Chapter 2: Role, Organization, and Maneuver of Armies
  • Chapter 3: Battle
  • Chapter 4: Kings and Military Leaders
  • Chapter 5: Priests and God Idols
  • Chapter 6: Hunters and Herder-Warriors
  • Chapter 7: Shield-Bearers and Spearmen
  • Chapter 8: Storage Pots, Water and Land Transport
  • Chapter 9: Fortifications and Siege Craft
  • Chapter 10: The Sumerian War Cart
  • Chapter 11: War Cart's Battle Use
  • Chapter 12: King Sargon's Standing Army 
  • Chapter 13: Amorite, Elamite, and Lullabi Warriors

A quick reading of this 218 page book has clarified a number of questions I had and given me as many questions to ponder.  Some of these chapters are directly applicable to wargamers whether painting and organizing armies or gaming.  I will be re-examining Graham's wargame rules in a new light.

Very useful addition to a wargamer's library on an often overlooked period. 

44 comments:

  1. A useful looking guide Jon, a period I am not familiar with at all really 🤔

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    1. Very useful guide, Matt. This is a period for which I know very little as well. Actually, I am not sure many details are known about this period of warfare.

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    2. I was thinking exactly that Jon - a few historians and archaeologists have some ideas and theories, but I dont think anyone really knows!

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  2. That looks an interesting series and 218 pages suggests some depth.

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    1. The book covers a lot of ground and I learned quite a bit from reading it. On warfare during this period, much for discussion later, I suspect.

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  3. This looks like it covers a lot of ground and could be equivalent to at least five Ospreys, including a possible 'Ancient Sumerian War Pots' from the Osprey 'Containers of War' series. I'm off to investigate what else they have in the series.

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    1. Osprey's "Containers of War" series...you are hilarious, Lawrence!

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  4. Excellent find Jonathan, I’ll ordering a copy ASAP!

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    1. Mike, I figured this book might be of interest to you.

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  5. I foresee an interesting conversation ahead. I will pass on the purchase for now, as with the publication of "To Ur" I drew the line under my research. A £7 kindle product is tempting, although I prefer hardcopy for my non-fiction where I can get it.

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    1. This work may prompt some interesting discussions. I prefer hard copy too but for quick access to the content, Kindle is a good substitute. The problem I have with digital is that I often forget I have it.

      Drawing a line to research? We ought not stop our research or discovery.

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    2. In respect of the pile of projects I want to finish properly over my 5 year horizon from when TUIH was published I don't intend to either enlarge the Sumerian armies or revise TUIH. I've got a lot of research to do or redo over the next 2-3 years and I can't afford to go down anymore rabbit holes if I want to get done what I want to get done. Maintenance of aim is essential or I'll end up with a load of half finished things that don't work.

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  6. Looks like a fantastic reference for a period that doesn't seem to have such coverage, particularly from the standpoint of gaming. Not my era, but this is tempting as a general read: thanks for bringing it to our attention!

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    1. This has plenty of potential for study. Useful for even a casual read, Ed. I am enjoying it.

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  7. It looks like a useful "book" for someone new to this period (I dont even really know what period it is to be fair - Biblical I believe - which I have always assumed is around 4-5000 BC??)

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    1. Useful, for sure. I would prefer a hard copy but digital is in my hands quickly. Who knows? I may buy the hard copy if I find the content critical to further study.

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  8. Tan ks for that recommendation. I have been considering a biblical army and these guys have interested me - but I've not taken the plunge yet.

    Richard

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    1. You’re welcome, Richard. If interested in ancient Sumeria, this is a useful place to start.

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  9. I saw this book on the Bronze Age Wargames FB group; I should have pointed it out to you!
    This series can be a bit uneven, but usually have a lot of information not found elsewhere.

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    1. Thanks! The book was only released last week. News travels fast. The two books on the Sardinians for the FAW are both terrific resources.

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  10. There is nothing like the research phase to really help amp up the interest in a future project. I look forward to seeing this as it progresses.

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    1. So true, Anthony. I have a few units on the painting desk now.

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  11. Wooooa! Looking as very helpful compendium!

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  12. I would say an excellent find but it appears it found you🙂
    A good resource from the looks of it.

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  13. Nice find,I find the research one of the best bits and it never ends! In a way wargaming is just an excuse to feed my book buying addiction!
    Best Iain

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    1. I enjoy the research part of the hobby too. Actually, I enjoy all of the different facets of the hobby.

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  14. Interesting. The historical period is completely unknown to me. Thank you for paying attention to it. It's interesting to learn.

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    1. You are welcome! This is an unusual Wargaming period not often seen on the table. I have been seeing more Sumerian armies on the march of late, though.

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    2. It's relative obscurity and poor treatment at the hands of rules writers was why I wrote TUIH.

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  15. No sign of slowing down Jonathan, I have tried but have not made it yet.

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  16. Targeted adds pay off! But should come in handy as you plan the army. I have no knowledge of ancient/ biblical times so would have the same big hurdle. If it’s not rampaging Gauls versus stoic Romans then I wouldn’t know what it was. 😀

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    1. It sure did pay off for SoldierShop. You know more about various periods of warfare than you let on.

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  17. It's good to find a reasonable, general book when getting started in a period. I like pdf for quick delivery, but also 'buy and try'. If it is good enough, I'll look to a printed copy, which has that greater aesthetic appeal.
    I wonder if there is much on archive.org?
    Regards, James

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    1. We are in agreement, James. I am not familiar with archive.org. I must investigate.

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    2. Archive.org is awesome for source documentation of the type published by the Camden Society and others in the 19th century. It's where I found many of the sources for the Edgcote book.

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