Geographic.

This is coolbert:

The most recent edition of the National Geographic has several interesting articles with a military dimension to them.

One article concerns the care given to the severely wounded from the Iraq War. Care first rendered on the battlefield by the Combat Area Support Hospital [CASH], and subsequently to those amputees who have suffered severe and disabling wounds.

The second article discusses an ancient martial people of vigor. The Thracians. A people who occupied the area that is now Bulgaria around the year 1000 B.C. Had their heyday about the same time as the Golden Age of Greece, 500 B.C. Produced warriors whose skill on horseback with spear and bow and arrow was renowned.

[after defeating the Thracians, Alexander the Great drafted their cavalry and archers into his army!!]

A people who produced a most famous historical warrior, Spartacus.

Spartacus, who led the famous slave rebellion against Rome. Ultimately unsuccessful, Spartacus, a gladiator, was a significant figure from history. Nearly DID destroy the Roman Empire, he was such a threat. Evidently a man of natural leadership ability. And adept, highly so, with the Thracian sword [sica] and buckler [small round shield]. Read an interesting history of the slave rebellion against Rome. Surprisingly so, the events as depicted in the famous movie "Spartacus" seem to be pretty much accurate. Unusual for Hollywood.

coolbert.