Re: war chariots

[Aelfgar GreySeas <aelfgar@access.digex.net>]

Poster: Aelfgar GreySeas <aelfgar@access.digex.net>

To all who have read and/or contributed to this thread,
Aelfgar GreySeas sends greetings.

Well! I didn't expect to start quite such a stir with my somewhat off-
hand remarc, but I have greatly enjoyed the result. Obviously I am
not the only one interested in the subject matter.

Much has been written here which has caused me to raise an eyebrow,
and I find myself cracking open books I have not looked at for quite
some time, and finally looking at a couple I bought a while back but
never read.

I find myself in the following quandary, however. To respond as I would
wish to that which has been posted so far would require a LOT of verbage,
equivalent to pretty decent research paper. I know what topics, in general,
I'd like to address, but haven't written anything. I'd love to do this,
but time and energy are precious, and I have no idea how much interest you
good folks would have in the results of such an effort.

I find the following topics of interest:

Topic the first - What are the primary sources of information,
and how do we choose amongst varying interpretations thereof?

Topic the second - What are the known physical characteristics of chariots,
and how do they limit the ways in which chariots could have been employed?

Topic the third - What were the social, economic, and tactical environments
in which chariots existed, and how would they have affected their use?

and so on.

As you can see, none of these questions will yield definitive answers - we
just don't have the raw data. But if you enjoy the 'if answer A is true,
then it inevitably follows....But, on the other hand, if B is true, then
the implications are...' kind of conversation, as I do, then I will yield
to the desire to write at length for pleasure for a change, and post some
of my musings. And you will have only yourselves to blame.

If you're interested, just post, or email me privately.

If you're not interested, don't post. It will break my heart, but I won't
let it show. You won't hear any complaints from me! Not one word! And 
another thing...

Childishly yours,

Aelfgar
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