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FantasticFunKarma t1_iv3u5vr wrote

Have a look at world war 1 vets and shell shock.

There are arguments that fighting in the past was mostly movements with occasional violent battles but they did not last long enough to cause the type of mental trauma associated with long term stress.

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shooflydont OP t1_iv456yg wrote

What about centuries ago? Wouldn’t this trait of lasting effects once the threat gone, be reduced through evolution?

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st4n13l t1_iv4ffrv wrote

Not necessarily. On the one hand many of them would have already had children by then and on the other those that hadn't probably would have only to compete against mostly other soldiers who probably weren't in much better shape.

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M-2-M t1_iv4789v wrote

I think earlier people just died quicker. A wound from a sword or arrow attack would be lethal centuries ago based on the lack of blood transfusion and medication. The lack of meds likely means you die from wound and blood infection. Added that fact that injured people would likely just left on the battlefields.

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jordantask t1_iv598qk wrote

It’s actually kind of logical when you think of it.

In the past, interpersonal violence was direct, “in your face,” close quarters violence that involved sticking a sharp pointed object into the body of a resisting person. It’s not that easy to swing a melee weapon around, particularly for long periods. Also, military bows could be quite taxing to wield as well, with draw weights above 100lb.

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