History of Military Technology

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

The teaching of this course is based on theoretical and theoretical-practical classes, supported by iconographic elements, analysis of texts, group work, readings and individual work, with the presentation and discussion of issues arising from those works.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide students with a coherent overview of the creation, development and evolution of military technology and its importance in the dynamics of civilizations and cultures. History is seen through the prism of military invention and use of new weapons in the ceaseless attempt to achieve supremacy over the enemy

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Military Technology - perspectives

1.1. Weapons: why invent them?

1.2. The Weapons That Changed the World

2. Individual armament

2.1. Maces and axes

2.2. Spears

2.3. Bows and arrows

2.4. Swords

2.5. Crossbows

2.6. Firearms - evolution

2.7. Defensive armament and body armour

3. Fortifications

3.1. The Ancient World

3.2. Roman Fortifications

3.3. Medieval Castles

3.4. The bastion fortification

3.5. 1914-1918: trench warfare

3.6. 1939-1944: From the Maginot Line to the 'Atlantic wall’

4. War Machines

4.1. Approximation machines

4.2. Devices for easy access

4.3. Demolition apparatus

4.4. Siege towers

5. Artillery

5.1. Ancient and Medieval Artillery

5.2. The first cannons

5.3. Artillery: the triumph of Western Civilization

5.4. Armageddon: homing missiles and ballistic missiles

6. From the War Chariot to the Modern Armored Vehicles

6.1. The war chariot in the Ancient World

6.2. The rise and fall of cavalry

6.3. The tank: from the Great War to the 'Blitzkrieg'

Assessment Methods

Assessement
Research work: 100.0%

Bibliography

1. CAMPBELL, D. B., Greek and Roman Artillery 399 BC-363 AD, London, Osprey, 2003.

2. CAMPBELL, D. B., Greek and Roman Siege Machinery 399 BC-AD 363, London, Osprey, 2003.

3. VARANDAS, J., «O Punho dos Deuses. Maquinaria de cerco Greco-romana (século IV a.C. - século IV d.C.)», in A Guerra na Antiguidade, coord. de António Ramos dos Santos e José Varandas, Lisboa, Centro de História da Universidade de Lisboa / Caleidoscópio - Edição e Artes Gráficas, 2006, pp. 125-159.

4. LEE, T.-W., Military Technologies of the World, Westport, Greenwood Publishing Group, 2009.

5. KINARD, Jeff, Artillery. An Illustrated History of its Impact, Santa Barbara, ABC Clio, 2007.