Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 370: Money of the land (3)

Chapter 370: Money of the land (3)

One of the key reasons warfare evolved so dramatically from the medieval period to the modern era was the dramatic increase in population, fueled in large part by successive agricultural revolutions. These innovations in food production transformed societies, enabling nations to support vastly larger armies than had ever been feasible before.

Contrary to what some might think, the relatively small size of medieval armies wasn't due to a lack of manpower. There were plenty of people, but the agricultural output of the time simply couldn't sustain large forces for extended periods. Feeding thousands of men, along with their horses, was an immense logistical challenge in an age where food production was limited and vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations.

Medieval military campaigns, as a result, were dictated by the agricultural calendar. Armies typically marched in the months following the grain harvest in late summer, when food was at its most abundant. This timing allowed armies to either forage from the freshly reaped fields or rely on supply lines laden with the fruits of that season's labor.

But even then, these armies were constrained. A campaign could last only as long as the provisions held out, and the ability to gather more from the surrounding land often determined the success or failure of an expedition. 

As agricultural advances increased the efficiency of farming, nations could produce surplus food, sustaining not only larger populations but also armies that could remain in the field for far longer. 

All of this was pictured in an instant by Alpheo, who stood amidst the golden grains.