Persia

In the beginning of the book this is one of the world's most powerful Empires, and it's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea is what brings it "into view" to the limited awareness of the world's events from the book's perspective.

Athens

One of many city-states located on the Greek Peninsula. While somewhat united by culture and councils that balanced power, there was no real Greek federal government. However, when they weren't fighting among themselves for dominance of the region, they would unite against common foes. Athens was greatly strengthened and protected by her fleet of ships.

Britain

Like Athens, the prominent realization is that it was her reliance upon and adeptness with boats, her military fleet, that set this nation apart from most of the others in terms of strategy.

Cavalry

These are columns, divisions, or other large groups of mounted soldiers. They were an incredibly powerful...