Hoplology

Hoplology is a science that studies human combative behavior and performance. The word hoplology is derived from the Greek terms hoplos (a mythical plate-armored animal) and hoplite, the term for the classical Greek warrior. The word was first coined by the explorer and linguist, Sir Richard Burton, in the 19th century, but it was not until the 1960s when hoplology began taking shape as an academic field of study under the direction of Donn F. Draeger.

Draeger, drawing upon years of personal research and hands-on experience with several classical fighting systems, defined hoplology by the 1970s as: "the study of the basis, patterns, relationships, and significances of combative behavior at all levels of social complexity." (Draeger 1982)

While hoplology is still in its infancy, it has become an accepted area of study by scholars in several related disciplines such as combative psychology, anthropology, and military history.

External link

 * International Hoplology Society website