Powerful nations have always had powerful armies. Ancient eastern countries like China, Japan, and India had brave soldiers and well-trained armies.

While Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and medieval European armies were at war, other countries were fighting, too. Over 2,500 years ago, around the same time that the Spartan and Athenian armies were at war with the Persians, a great Chinese general named Sun Tzu wrote a book called The Art of War. It talks about the way to prepare for and win a battle. People still read and study his book today.

By 326 BCE, Alexander the Great’s empire stretched to Punjab, a part of northern India. Alexander’s men were tired of fighting and feared the large, strong armies of India. They refused to fight anymore and decided to return home.

During the Middle Ages, when knights were fighting in Europe, fierce samurai warriors led experienced armies in Japan. They followed a strict code called bushido. It was much like the knights’ code of chivalry and said that a samurai should always be loyal, brave, and polite.

Chandragupta lived in northern India over 2,000 years ago. Not much is known about his childhood, but stories say he was raised by peacock tamers!

When he was young, Chandragupta studied with a famous teacher named Chanakya, who taught him many things, including military strategy. After Alexander’s army left India, Chandragupta raised an army and conquered Punjab.

With his large army and as many as 9,000 war elephants, Chandragupta won many more victories. His empire was known as the Mauryan Empire. It covered what is now Pakistan, Afghanistan, and most of India.

When he was an old man, Chandragupta gave up his throne and all of his riches to live as a poor monk.

Alaric is famous for attacking Rome in 410 CE. He was born in what is now the country of Romania. His life as a soldier began in the Roman army. Later he became king of a tribe called the Visigoths in what is eastern Germany today.

Alaric and his army marched to Rome and set up camp outside the city gates waiting to attack. They were hungry for all the gold and silver and riches they could take from the city. Finally a slave sneaked out and opened the gates for them.

Alaric and his men stormed in. They spent three days killing people, stealing treasures, and smashing and burning buildings. It was the first time an army had attacked Rome in 800 years!

Alaric died in 410 CE after fighting in southern Italy. No one knows where he is buried, but it’s believed much of his treasure is buried with him. Lots of people have searched for it with no luck…yet!

Yue Fei was one of the greatest generals in Chinese history. There are many stories about him, especially about how he got his tattoo. One story says that when he was young, he thought he should stay home and take care of his elderly mother. But she tattooed four Chinese words on his back. They said, “Serve your country loyally.”

Yue Fei became a general and commanded the emperor’s army. He was famous for his skill and bravery. His most outstanding victory was the Battle of Yancheng. Legend has it that he beat an army of 100,000 with only 500 men!

Court officials close to the emperor were jealous of Yue Fei and made up lies about him. They took away his army and sentenced him to die. Yue Fei was only thirty-nine when he was put to death.

Mongolia is a vast land north of China in Central Asia. Its cold and windswept plains were the birthplace of the great emperor Genghis Khan.

When he was a young man, Genghis built up a powerful army. His fierce soldiers galloped into battle on small, fast horses. They were known for their lightning hit-and-run attacks. Under Genghis’s brilliant command, they conquered all of Mongolia. Millions died at their hands.

Genghis Kahn continued to conquer other lands. The Mongol Empire became so huge that it stretched throughout much of Asia and Europe. Genghis ruled one of the largest empires in history.

In 1227, Genghis Khan fell off his horse and died. His sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons continued making the Mongol Empire even larger.

David was a poor shepherd boy in Israel. He liked to play the harp and sing while watching his sheep.

When David was a teenager, Israel was at war with a people called the Philistines. Once during a battle, a brutal giant named Goliath dared any Israeli soldier to fight him. But Goliath was nine feet tall and super strong! Everyone was afraid of him except David. David loaded his sling with a single stone and brought the giant down.

King Saul of Israel asked David to serve in his court. David won so many battles against the Philistines that Saul got jealous and ordered his death.

David escaped to the desert. When Saul died in a battle, David became king. He defeated the Philistines for good and started an empire for Israel.

David was the king of Israel for forty years. You can read some of his beautiful poems and songs in the book of Psalms in the Bible.