The Neurophysiology of Panic on the Ancient Battlefield
By Susan M. Heidenreich and Jonathan P. Roth
Abstract: Modern research in neuroscience, which incorporates findings from diverse areas, such as chemistry, biology, neurophysiology, and psychology, allows scientists to describe the perceptual processes corresponding to neurophysiological functions in great detail. This chapter focuses on the nature of panic, an important factor in determining success or failure in battle. It explores the battlefield panic from a neuroscientific point of view. Neuroscience provides many tools that can aid the historian in judging the veracity of a particular account, for example, of a panicked soldier. The realization that ancient and modern brains function identically aids in a better understanding of the ancient battlefield. Military panic is most commonly associated with soldiers running away from the battlefield. Neuroscientific evidence can provide insight into behavior in battle. The military historian must be careful and critical in drawing from modern works on morale and traumatic stress; this makes a basic understanding of neuroscience all the more important.
Chapter in New Approaches to Greek and Roman Warfare, edited by Lee L. Brice
Published in 2019 by Wiley