Throughout human history, there has been a long period of using cold weapons. On the battlefield, “a foot longer is powerful, a foot shorter is risky.”
Since the Spring and Autumn period, soldiers were equipped with spears, short knives, bows, arrows, and shields, organized into ranks, with each battle becoming a “giant fighting machine.” To protect the bodies and heads of the warriors from injury, armor began to appear.
The use of armor significantly improved the strength of soldiers at that time. (Illustration: Sunnews).
Initially, armor was made from animal hides and bamboo, which gradually developed into products made of bronze and iron. Over time, various types of armor were used by soldiers. The use of armor significantly improved the strength of soldiers during that era.
According to historical records, a cavalry armor set required the coordination of over 40 craftsmen to create and went through 8 processes, taking a total of more than 200 days. The actual value of this armor was equivalent to the income of an ordinary farming family for over 5 years.
In ancient times, the control over weapons was much looser compared to armor. After Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms, he undertook the task of confiscating weapons and using them to cast bronze.
Armor was a luxury item; possessing it privately could lead to a death sentence. According to ancient law, armor was considered national property. Unless one died on the battlefield at the hands of the enemy, losing armor and weapons would be punishable.
Armor of ancient warriors. (Photo: Daydaynews).
In some films and television shows, we frequently see soldiers or common people carrying a sword with them. However, apart from leaders, no one has ever been seen wearing armor in public.
Cao Duy in “Analyzing the Historical Revolution of Ancient Chinese Armor” states: Weapons and armor are specific items, thus the government must control who possesses them.
According to ancient beliefs, limiting armor is more effective than limiting the use of weapons.
- The first reason is that whether the people have armor or not does not disrupt production and daily life.
- Second, having no armor means low defensive capability, making it easier for the government to suppress.
- Third, the process of producing armor is very costly, with a long manufacturing cycle, making it difficult to produce, hence the need for increased control.
In summary, one of the reasons why armor was prioritized by rulers of all dynasties was to mitigate the risks associated with citizens possessing dangerous weapons that could incite riots.
