In Big Battles, Why Did Archers Wait for Orders to Shoot All at the Same Time in Volleys Rather Than Just Let Loose Constantly?
In medieval and ancient battles, archers often coordinated their shots in volleys, rather than firing individually at a constant rate. This tactic had several advantages:
Massed impact: When arrows are fired together in a volley, they create a more concentrated and impactful strike on the enemy. This is especially effective against tightly packed formations like shield walls.
Overwhelm defenses: A volley of arrows can overwhelm the enemy's defenses, making it difficult for them to shield or deflect all the incoming projectiles.
Psychological impact: A well-timed volley can have a devastating psychological impact on the enemy, causing fear and disarray.
Conserve ammunition: By only firing when ordered, archers could conserve their arrows, ensuring a steady supply of ammunition during the battle.
Coordination: Volleys required a high level of coordination among the archers, demonstrating discipline and teamwork.
Related Questions and Brief Answers:
- Why did archers fire in volleys? To create a massed impact, overwhelm defenses, and maximize psychological impact.
- How did they coordinate volleys? Through signals or orders from a commander.
- Did volleys improve accuracy? Not necessarily, as the archers were not aiming at specific targets.
- Were volleys only used by archers? No, other ranged weapons like crossbows and slingers also used volleys.
- When did volley tactics become less prevalent? With the advent of firearms, which allowed for constant and rapid firing.
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