★ Rights sold to China!
★ This book is written for young readers as an introduction to ancient weapons and military history, helping children understand world history through the lens of weaponry and warfare.
★ More than just a “catalogue of ancient weapons,” this book is also a “history of ancient civilizations woven together by war.”
★ Through exquisite illustrations and authoritative text, it shows young readers that weapons are not merely tools; their evolution reflects advances in technology, the rise and fall of empires, and humanity’s enduring desire for peace.
★ Featuring beautiful full-color hand-drawn illustrations and over a hundred meticulously crafted depictions of weapons and equipment, this book highlights the ingenuity of our ancestors and provides a comprehensive overview of the history of weapons and warfare in the ancient world. It serves as a “museum on the page,” vividly bringing to life the battlefields of long-ago eras for young readers.
★ The text is authored by historian and educator Andrei Dubrovsky, while the stunning illustrations are the work of renowned Russian animator and book artist Alexei Kapuninsky!
★ Ideal for readers of all ages who are interested in military history, especially those in elementary and secondary school.
★ English translation sample available.

It must be acknowledged that weapons and warfare have long been among the dominant forces shaping the course of history. The Assyrian Kingdom, the empire of Alexander the Great, and the Roman Empire all rose to power through war and were ultimately brought down by it. In many respects, war has driven technological progress: the discovery of metals, the invention of new ways to move objects or harness animals—each of these advancements was put to use in armaments. At the same time, the state of a nation’s military equipment has served to protect its people and territory. Throughout history, the outcome of battles has invariably depended on the opposing sides’ weaponry, methods, and skills; accordingly, combat tactics have continually evolved alongside advances in arms and armor. This book presents young readers with an engaging illustrated account of ancient weaponry, offering a comprehensive overview of military civilizations from antiquity. It examines the development of various weapons, tactical and strategic doctrines, and the careers of renowned commanders. Through its pages, children will trace the transition from bronze to iron, the introduction of chariots, and the deployment of warships and war elephants—landmarks that profoundly influenced both the evolution of arms and the destinies of nations.
In this volume, historian Andrei Dubrovsky explores the military cultures of the ancient world, including Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, Greece, China, Rome, India, and Carthage. He analyzes their distinctive tactical and strategic approaches, the principal types of weapons and uniforms, the organization of armies, and the key ranks within military hierarchies. Simultaneously, the author does not shy away from depicting the grim realities of war, highlighting the devastation and chaos it inflicts. He emphasizes that our fascination with military history stems from a desire to understand the past rather than any inclination toward present-day conflict.
This book inaugurates a series that chronicles weapons and warfare across different eras, from antiquity to the twentieth century. The next installment will once again bear witness to the brutal conquests, armed clashes, and bloody conflicts that have defined relations among states, peoples, and civilizations. Weapons, tactics, and technologies will undergo ever more rapid and radical transformations. In the subsequent volume, mighty nomadic empires will fade from the historical stage, gunpowder will spark a military revolution, and entirely unprecedented “monsters”—armored war machines—will enter the battlefield, after which fighting will soar into the skies.

[Author] Andrey Dubrovsky (1980)
A Russian writer and historian, he graduated from the History Department of St. Petersburg State University. From 2004 to 2013, he served as a lecturer there, and currently teaches history and literature at a private school. He contributes to historical journals, has led tours of Petrograd during the 1917 Revolution and of besieged Leningrad, appeared on television as an expert, given public lectures, and written historical commentary for numerous literary works. He is the author of several historical fairy tales and educational books for children!

[Illustrator] Alexey Kapuninsky
A Russian artist, renowned illustrator of children’s books, book illustrator, animator, and comic book creator, his work blends the traditions of woodcut printing with ancient Russian miniature painting. He was among the first in Russia to work in the field of comics, successfully integrating Western artistic forms into the Russian cultural context. He is also one of the founders of the “KOM Comic Studio” publishing house.

1. The War Begins
2. Ancient Egypt
3. Mesopotamia
4. Ancient China
5. Ancient India
6. Ancient Greece
7. Alexander the Great
8. Ancient Rome
9. Carthage
10. The Celts
11. The Ancient Germans
12. The Scythians, Sarmatians, and Huns