• 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. • 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 Rome Ab 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. • Large-scale battles in the Chinese novels
Romance of the Three Kingdoms and
Water Margin typically begin with champion combat. • The
Combat of the Thirty in 1351 between competing French lineages was held as a model and pinnacle 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.) • Champion warfare is a common theme in
Irish mythology, notably in the
Ulster Cycle, with
Cú Chulainn fighting many duels. • In the Old High German
Hildebrandslied, champion warfare between a father and his son is the main theme. ==See also==