The 15 Weapons and Tools That Shaped Empires and Humanity

Since its earliest days, human history has been shaped by wars, conquests, and domination. The use of increasingly sophisticated weapons and technologies has obviously been crucial to the outcome of these various conflicts. Some weapons were so revolutionary, in fact, that they enabled certain empires to maintain their hold on power for several centuries. Other inventions have also completely transformed society and the global geopolitical order simply by coming into existence, whether or not they were designed for warfare. To learn a little more about this topic, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 weapons and tools that have shaped empires and humanity.  

Used by humans for over 50,000 years, the bow and arrow have made hunting easier and helped avoid close-quarters combat. There is no longer any need to strike each other with clubs to settle disputes. An archer can even take down enemies from several hundred meters away without them knowing where he is.  

In the Middle Ages, the great kingdoms faced their enemies by fortifying their castles with virtually impenetrable ramparts. However, the advent of gunpowder, imported from China, completely changed the game. It made it possible to demolish very thick walls by firing projectiles weighing several dozen kilograms.  

The atomic bomb is undoubtedly the most famous of all weapons of mass destruction. Used to bring World War II to an end, it upended the world order by becoming a tool of deterrence in various conflicts. Even today, everyone is afraid to use it for fear of becoming a victim of enemy retaliation.   

Fire can be considered the oldest of all revolutionary discoveries. It has many uses, ranging from cooking food to providing light and generating energy. If fire had not been discovered and mastered, we would still be eating raw meat today.   

Invented by the Chinese in the 11th century, the compass remains one of the basic tools of navigation to this day. Among other things, it has made possible the great explorations and conquests of modern times and has helped us better map the world. Before that, we didn’t even know that America existed somewhere out there.  

It was the Roman Empire’s siege weapon, and it forced many kingdoms to surrender. If you’re under siege by an army of men, you can always hold out by shooting arrows. But if they start hurling 300-kilo boulders or corpses infested with the plague at you, you’re in big trouble.   

In the past, it took quite a while to reload a weapon before it could be fired again. Following the introduction in 1884 of the first portable automatic weapon—the Maxim machine gun—it is now possible to fire in bursts to better destabilize the opposing side. It even led to a complete overhaul of military strategies.  

It is probably the most important of all human inventions. Since its invention more than 3,500 years ago, the wheel has played a fundamental role in transportation and, more recently, in gear mechanisms and mills. Without it, it would be much harder to go on vacation to the seaside and then return home before school starts.  

Although it is not a weapon itself, it has been used to shape many weapons throughout history. The blacksmith’s tools—including the hammer and anvil—paved the way for numerous technical achievements. A wide variety of metal objects that are indispensable in everyday life are still made using these tools.  

The iconic samurai sword holds a prominent place in Japanese culture. Much more than just a weapon, it also symbolizes its owner’s honor and the values he upholds. And let’s face it, the katana is incredibly cool. In fact, I think quite a few of us are fans of the movies or manga that feature it.  

The common use of the expression “bury the hatchet” shows just how much this weapon symbolizes armed conflict. The hatchet is powerful, versatile, and intimidating. Moreover, it is easier to make than a sword, for example. Popularized by the Vikings, it remains a part of Nordic folklore.  

First developed at the start of the Cold War, ballistic missiles make it possible to strike an enemy without having to get close to it. Launched along a precisely defined trajectory, these missiles can hit any target on the other side of the world. Add to that the ability to equip them with a nuclear warhead, and you have a highly intimidating deterrent.   

When we talk about bladed weapons, the sword is what immediately comes to mind. This is only natural, given that it played a central role in many battles before the advent of firearms. We’ve seen a wide variety of them, such as the famous Roman gladius, which was the primary weapon of the Roman legions.   

How can you attack an opponent without risking being killed? The answer is to send in a remote-controlled vehicle. The drone can carry a missile and launch it at its target without its pilot being within the opponent’s firing range. But of course, the opposing side can also launch its own drones to retaliate.  

The repeating crossbow eliminates the main weakness of the traditional crossbow: reloading time. Equipped with a magazine that holds up to ten bolts, it allows for a higher rate of fire than a bow. What’s more, the crossbow requires less training and agility than it takes to become an archer, while offering greater shooting accuracy.