It is no exaggeration to say that the history of mankind is the history of warfare. Military tactics are the science and art of organizing a military force and the techniques for combining and using weapons and military units to engage and defeat an enemy in battle. Military tactics have played a very important role in the history of military power. For the comparative study of military tactics of the two armies located in different regions and existing during different time period, two issues could be raised. First, as the two armies existed at different time periods in human history, there is a gap in comparing the military tactics of each. However, the two armies largely followed a similar pattern of warfare, which was conducted by hand infantry, archaic archery techniques, and cavalry, using conventional weapons and equipment. Thus, this study provides some insight into various ideas and resourcefulness regarding conventional military tactics used in warfare throughout human history.Second, an issue about different geographical features might be raised. However, this difference can be considered simply as environmental characteristics of each region, because in warfare, the two armies used the local terrain to their advantage, regardless of distinct characteristics of their local area.Jaehyuk, Jang & Kisun, Kim. (2023). Comparative Study of the Military Tactics of the Roman Empire and Mongol Empire. Mongolian Diaspora. Journal of Mongolian History and Culture. 1. 7-35. 10.1515/modi-2021-010203.
Caracole tactics Another tactic employed by the Mongols on the battlefield was the 29 H. Desmond Martin. The Mongol Army, 69-71. A Comparative Study of the Military Tactics of the Roman Empire and Mongol Empire caracole tactic, also called the charge and shoot tactic. Approximately 80 men in each jaghun, or company, participated; the remaining 20 acted as heavy cavalry. Each jaghun sent 20 men per wave of attackers, and each wave fired several arrows as they charged. They released their final shots roughly 40 to 50 meters from the enemy lines before circling back to their own lines. This distance was close enough to pierce armour, yet distant enough to evade a counter charge. Furthermore, on the way back to their line, the Mongols used the Parthian shot, a light horse military tactic, to keep up the barrage. When they reached their own lines, the next wave would move forward and continue the process. Also, they changed horses frequently
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Since each man was equipped with 60 arrows, the Mongols could maintain this barrage for almost an hour, perhaps longer. Marco Polo reported the following concerning the Mongol armys advance: When they come to an engagement with the enemy, they will gain the victory in this fashion. [They never let themselves get into a regular medley, but keep perpetually riding round and shooting into the enemy. And] as they do not count it any shame to run away in battle, they will [sometimes pretend to] do so, and in running away they turn in the saddle and shoot hard and strong at the foe, and in this way make great havoc.30 30 Marco Polo(translated by Henry Yule, edited by Henri Cordier). The Travels of Marco Polo Vol. 1. New York, Dover Publications, Inc, 1993. 262. 21
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22 Mongolian Diaspora Vol. 1, No. 2. Feigned retreat tactics The feigned retreat was a classic tactic of Mongol steppe warfare. A token force charged the enemy and then retreated in order to attract them. The retreat might extend a great distance in order to stretch the enemys ranks and formations. Then, at a prearranged location, other Mongol forces ambushed and attacked the enemy force from the flanks, while the initial force turned around and attacked the enemys front.31 The Secret History of the Mongols described this form of
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Taking Wujiu, he crossed the Fox Pass and seized Sndeiwu, sending Jebe and Gyignek-baatur [ahead] as vanguards. On and Gyignek-baatur found] that guards had been posted on the Chabchiyal Pass. Then Jebe said: We shall lure them into moving. When they come [after us], we shall fight them. He then turned back. The Kitad soldiers decided to pursue him. As they drew nigh, they choked the valleys and mountains. On reaching the provincial capital, Sndeiwu, Jebe reined in [his horses] and turned back. He attacked the advancing enemy, which was growing [ever] bigger, and overcame them.32 arriving at Chabchiyal, [Jebe 31 Timothy May. Genghis Khan: Secrets of Success, 42-9. 32 Urgunge, Onon. The Secret History of the Mongols, 233-4. A Comparative Study of the Military Tactics of the Roman Empire and Mongol Empire
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