Every village has its limits, which should be protected from the intrusion of the enemy, in large Slavic settlements this need has always existed.Between Ancient Russia conflict torn country had to fight not only against external threats, but also from the tribe.The unity and harmony among the princes helped to create a great nation, which became defense capability.Old Russian soldiers stood under one banner and show the world their strength and courage.
squad
Slavs were peace-loving people, so not too old Russian soldiers stand out from the ordinary peasants.In defense of his home is with spears, axes, knives and clubs.Military equipment and weapons appear gradually, and it is more focused on protecting its owner than to attack.In the X century there is an association of several Slavic tribes around the Prince of Kiev, which collects taxes and protects controlled territory from the invasion of the steppe, the Swedes, the Byzantines, the Mongols.Formed squad, made up of 30% is made up of professional soldiers (often mercenaries: Normans, Pechenegs, Germans, Hungarians) and militia (VOI).During this period of ancient warrior weapons consist of maces, spears and swords.Easy protection does not restrict movement and provides mobility in battle and campaign.The main native troops were infantry, horses are used as pack animals and for the delivery of the soldiers to the battle.Cavalry formed following a nasty collision with steppe dwellers, who were excellent horsemen.
Protection
Old Russian wars were common in the population of Russia V - VI centuries shirt and ports in bast shoes.During the Russian-Byzantine war, the enemy was struck by the boldness and courage "Rus", which fought without protective armor, hiding behind the shield and at the same time using them as a weapon.Later came "kuyak", which is essentially a shirt without sleeves, it is sheathed with plates from the horses' hoofs, or leather pieces.Later we began to use metal plates that protect the body from the chop and arrows of the enemy.
Shield Armor of ancient warriors were light, it provides a high maneuverability, but at the same time reduced the degree of protection.Large, in the height of the individual wooden boards used by Slavic peoples since ancient times.They covered the head of a warrior, so the upper part had an opening for the eyes.With the X century panels made of round shapes, their stud iron, covered with leather and decorated with various tribal symbols.According to the testimony of the Byzantine historians Russian creating a wall of shields, which are securely clamped to each other, and exposed forward spear.This tactic did not give the possibility of the advanced part of the enemy to break through to the rear of Russian troops.After 100 years, a form adapted to a new kind of troops - the cavalry.Shields are almond-shaped, two attachment designed for the holding in battle and on the march.With this type of equipment old Russian soldiers went hiking and got up to protect their own land before the invention of firearms.Many traditions and legends associated with shields.Some of them today are the "winged".Fallen and wounded soldiers brought home on the boards, with the flight of the retreating regiments threw them under the feet of horses pursuers.At the gates of Constantinople, defeated Prince Oleg it hangs a shield.
Helmets
Old Russian soldiers to the IX - X century wore on his head the usual caps, which are not protected by chop enemy.First helmets, found by archaeologists were made by Norman type, but in Russia they are not widespread.A more practical and widely used therefore become conical.Helmet In this case rivet of four metal plates, they were decorated with precious stones and feathers (from the noble warriors or governor).This form allows the sword to slide without causing great harm to man, balaclava made of leather or felt softens the blow.Change the helmet with additional safety devices: Barmitsa (Chain mesh) nanosnik (metal plate).Application protection in the form of masks (masks) was rare in Russia, most of it was captured helmets, which are widely used in European countries.Description of ancient warrior preserved in chronicles, says that people are not hiding, and scowl could pin down the enemy.Helmets manufactured with half-mask for rich and noble warriors, they are characterized by decorative details that were not carrying the protective functions.
Kolchuga
most famous part of ancient warrior vestments, according to the archaeological site, appears in VII - VIII century.Mail a shirt of metal rings, tightly interconnected.At this time, masters was quite difficult to make such protection, the work was fine and takes longer period of time.The metal is rolled into wire from which the folded and welded rings, fix each other in Scheme 1 to 4. At least 20 - 25 thousand rings goes into creating a chain mail, which weighed from 6 to 16 kilograms.To decorate the cloth woven in copper links.In the XII century, forging technology is used when flattened braided ring that provides more protection area.In the same period chainmail become longer, there are additional elements of the armor: nagovitsy (iron, wicker stockings) Barmitsa (mesh to protect the neck), bracers (gloves made of metal).Under the armor worn quilted clothing, softening the force of impact.At the same time in Russia used lamellar (plate) armor.For the manufacture of needed basis (shirt) from the skin, which is tightly attached to the thin iron slats.Their length is 6 - 9 cm, width from 1 to 3. Plate armor gradually replaced armor and even sold to other countries.In Russia, scaly, lamellar and mail part of a combination.Yushman, bahterets were essentially chain mail that to increase the protective properties of the plates supplied on the chest.At the beginning of the XIV century there is a new kind of armor - Mirror.Metal plate large, highly polished, usually worn over mail.On the sides and on the shoulders are connected by leather straps, often decorated with different kinds of symbols.
Weapons
Protective clothing of ancient warrior was not impenetrable armor, but is light, which provided greater maneuverability Warriors and arrows in combat conditions.According to information received from historical sources of the Byzantines, "Rusich" There is a tremendous physical strength.In V - VI centuries weapons of our ancestors were quite primitive, used for close combat.For causing significant damage to the enemy it had a lot of weight and is additionally equipped with striking elements.The evolution of weapons took place against a background of technological progress and changes in the strategy of warfare.Propelling system, siege machines, stitching and cutting iron tools used for centuries, and their design has been continuously improved.Some innovations to learn from other nations, but Russian inventors and gunsmiths always differed originality of approach and reliability of manufactured systems.
Impact
melee weapon known to all nations, at the dawn of civilization, its basic type is the mace.It is a heavy club, which at the end turned around iron.In some embodiments, figure metal spikes or nails.Most often mentioned in Russian chronicles along with mace mace, morningstar, bludgeon.Due to the ease of manufacture and efficiency in combat strike weapons it was widespread.The sword and saber partially displace it, but militiamen and warriors continue to use it in combat.Historians established on the basis of the chronicles of data sources and excavations typical portrait of a man who was called the old Russian warrior.Photos renovations, as well as the extant images of heroes, be sure to include any type of strike weapons, most often in the stands as a legendary mace.
Slashing, piercing
In the history of ancient Russia is crucial sword.He is not only the main type of weapons, but also a symbol of princely power.Applied knives have several kinds, they wore name based on the wear: zasapozhnye explaining podsaydashnye.They were used, along with a sword and mace.Weapons of ancient warrior changes in the X century, replaced the sword come saber.Her Russian combat characteristics evaluated in the battle with the nomads who have borrowed and shape.Spears and spears are among the most ancient types of stabbing weapons, which has been successfully used as soldiers in defensive and offensive.Used in parallel, they have evolved uniquely.Gradually replaced by spears spears, which are improved in Sulitsa.Axe fighting not only the peasants (VOI and militias), but the prince's retinue.In the mounted warriors weapon had a short handle, Marines (Warriors) enjoyed axes on long shafts.Poleaxe (ax with a wide blade) in XIII - XIV century becomes a weapon Strelets troops.He later converted to a halberd.
Small
All funds are used daily in the hunt and in everyday life, used by Russian soldiers as a war weapon.Bows were made from animal horns and suitable wood (birch, juniper).Some of them were more than two meters long.To store shoulder quiver of arrows were used, which was made of leather, sometimes decorated with brocade, precious and semi-precious stones.For the manufacture of arrows used a cane, birch, cane, apple, which is attached to the Lysina iron tip.In the X century design of the bow it was quite complicated and time-consuming process of its manufacture.Crossbows were more effective kind of projectile weapons.Their disadvantage is a smaller rate of fire, but the screw (used as a projectile) Inflicts more damage when hit punching armor.To pull the bowstring crossbow was difficult, even for the strongest warriors rested it in the butt kicking.In the XII century to accelerate and facilitate the process began to use a hook that archers wore on his belt.Before the invention of firearms bows, crossbows, crossbows were used in the Russian army.
Equipment
Foreigners who visited the Russian city of XII - XIII century, wondered how equipped soldiers.For all the apparent cumbersome armor (especially heavy cavalry) horsemen quite easily handle multiple tasks.Sitting in the saddle, the warrior could hold the reins (edit horse), shoot a bow or crossbow and prepare for close combat heavy sword.The cavalry was maneuvering strike force, so gear rider and horse should be light but strong.Chest, cereals and side warhorse covered by special covers, which are made of material with sewn plates of iron.Equipment of ancient warrior has been thoroughly thought through.Saddles made of wood, were allowed Archer to turn in the opposite direction and shoot at full speed, while controlling the direction of the horse.Unlike European soldiers of the time, fully armored, light armor Russian focused on fighting with the nomads.At noble nobles, princes, kings of the weapons and armor were fighting and parade, which were richly decorated and equipped with the symbols of the state.They received foreign ambassadors and went on holidays.
