Western societies from the Roman Empire to the emerging nation states of early modern Europe spent an enormous proportion of their surplus wealth on war. This course introduces this crucial aspect of Western history and examines the period extending from the third century AD, to just before the extensive introduction into Europe of gunpowder weapons in the fifteenth century. Discussion of not only battlefield tactics and famous generals but also the effect that war had upon society as a whole and the economic ramifications of war, the Christianization of war, and the effect of war upon literature. Course meets the History major requirements for Group II.