"In the thirteenth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, the two and twentieth day of the first month, the word was given out in the house of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians, that he would revenge himself. And he called all the ancients, and all the governors, and his officers of war, and communicated to them the secret of his counsel: And he said that his thoughts were to bring all the earth under his empire. And when this saying pleased them all, Nabuchodonosor, the king, called Holofernes the general of his armies, And said to him: Go out against all the kingdoms of the west, and against them especially that despised my commandment. Thy eye shall not spare any kingdom, and all the strong cities thou shalt bring under my yoke. Then Holofernes called the captains and officers of the power of the Assyrians: and he mustered men for the expedition, as the king commanded him, a hundred and twenty thousand fighting men on foot, and twelve thousand archers, horsemen." Judith 2:2-7 DRA
<p>Illustration of the vast armies of Nebuchadnezzar.

Army of King Nebuchadnezzar

"In the thirteenth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, the two and twentieth day of the first month,…

Horsemen riding into the gates of a Middle Eastern city. This illustration appears in the twelfth chapter of First Maccabees, but it is not clear what city it intends to illustrate.

City Gates and Horsemen

Horsemen riding into the gates of a Middle Eastern city. This illustration appears in the twelfth chapter…

Horsemen, Three Abreast, with Banners, from the engraving 'The Triumphal Procession' by Hans Burgkmair.

Horsemen, Three Abreast, with Banners

Horsemen, Three Abreast, with Banners, from the engraving 'The Triumphal Procession' by Hans Burgkmair.

A group of Roman soldiers heading into battle.

Roman Soldiers

A group of Roman soldiers heading into battle.

Illustration of a drawing in <I>The Harley Psalter</I>, an illuminated manuscript of the second and third decades of the 11th century. Two Anglo-Saxon warriors ride horseback wielding an axe and long spear or javelin. Both horses are rearing up, their front legs off the ground. Both weapons are raised. The warrior in front has dark hair while the hair of the one behind appears to be lighter-colored.

Two Anglo-Saxon Warriors on Horseback

Illustration of a drawing in The Harley Psalter, an illuminated manuscript of the second and third decades…