History of Archery - Ancient History

Ancient History

Further information: Mounted archery, Composite bow, Perso-Parthian bow, Parthian shot, and Sassanid army

Classical civilizations, notably the Persians, Parthians, Indians, Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese fielded large numbers of archers in their armies. Arrows were destructive against massed formations, and the use of archers often proved decisive. The Sanskrit term for archery, dhanurveda, came to refer to martial arts in general.

Mounted archers were the main military force of most of the equestrian nomads from the Cimmerians to the Mongols.