What if gunpowder had been discovered earlier? Lets assume it still gets applied to military applications (rockets, then cannons, then handcannons, then proper guns). What effect would this be likely to produce? Obviously, metallurgy would have to advance quite alot, but I figure with the demand there... After all, invention can be the mother of necessity sometimes...
Interesting times to consider:
1) During the rise of the Persian Empire
2) During Alexander's conquests and the Succesor States.
3) During the Punic Wars
4) During the period that Rome was conquering the Greek states. Lots of innovation during that period...
5) During Justinian's time
6) During the Arab expansion
I'm sure there's plenty of Eastern centered possibilities, but I'm more familiar with the Western wars, so they're the one's I suggested.
Interesting times to consider:
1) During the rise of the Persian Empire
2) During Alexander's conquests and the Succesor States.
3) During the Punic Wars
4) During the period that Rome was conquering the Greek states. Lots of innovation during that period...
5) During Justinian's time
6) During the Arab expansion
I'm sure there's plenty of Eastern centered possibilities, but I'm more familiar with the Western wars, so they're the one's I suggested.