AskHistorians

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How were empires such as Byzantium and the Ottomans able to field armies in the tens of thousands (or even 100,000) while western armies a fraction that size had issues with starvation? What were the respective logistical networks like?	168
I'm a medieval Lord who has just been called to arms by the King in defense of the realm. How do I go about assembling my army for campaign? Where would I start? What quality can I expect my troops to be?	143
How did a city in as remote a place as Las Vegas develop into, of all things, a center of gambling, luxury, and tourism? How did this come about?	143
During Operation Barbarossa, what became of the Soviets (governing legislatures) of the Ukrainian, Belorussian, and Baltic SSRs?	131
Why is New England said in English, but Nova Scotia in Latin? Why do we not say Nova Anglia or New Scotland?	130
Crossbows were famously banned by the Pope for being inhumane. Were any monarchs or lords excommunicated for employing them?	124
Until fairly recently, campaigning armies often suffered from disastrous disease outbreaks. Did any armies or generals or states ever try to specifically provision their armies with more fruit in order to potentially decrease the spread of sickness?	89
In the American War of Independence, why did the Continental Army choose blue as its color? With none of the surrounding powers utilizing it, wouldn't it be difficult to get blue dyes for uniforms?	87
How did western/sub-Saharan Africa go from producing wealthy and powerful kings such as Mansa Musa to being weak enough for Europeans to exploit, enslave, and colonize?	78
Media today often shows battles as two groups of frenzied warriors running full-tilt into each other and the front line dissolving into a chaotic mess of a thousand small duels; how accurate is this?	75

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