Champion warfare refers to a type of battle, most commonly found in the
epic poetry and
myth of ancient history, in which the outcome of the conflict is determined by
single combat, an individual
duel between the best soldiers ("champions") from each opposing army. Champion warfare can also refer to a battle in which armies actually engage, but champions within the armies fight so effectively as to single-handedly carry the sway of battle, such as in the Iliad.
Champion warfare in literature
Numerous instances of champion warfare can be observed in
Homer's Iliad, most notably the climactic battle between
Achilles and
Hector, although there are many more.[1]
Champion warfare has numerous examples in
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (Book of Kings).
Champion warfare is a common theme in the early books of
Livy's
history of RomeAb Urbe Condita (From the Founding of the City), including the story of the famous triplets of the
Horatii and Curiatii families and the great champion
Horatius Cocles.
The
Combat of the Thirty in 1351 between competing French lineages was held as a model of chivalric combat.
Champion warfare is a common occurrence in Indian epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The latter's fate is decisively determined by
Rama, and his nemesis
Ravana
In the
Bible, the battle between
David and Goliath is an example of champion warfare. Group champion combat, where a certain number of champions from each side battle, also existed, as shown in the Battle of Gibeon, where General Abner, loyal to King Ish-bosheth, had twelve champions duel twelve warriors chosen from the ranks of King David's army by General Joab. (2 Samuel 2:12–17 describes the duels themselves.)