War has been an ongoing part of the world's existence since recorded history. Man is engaged in battle with others nonstop, and even in times of peace there are still many minor wars being fought around the world. The essence of war is always one of fighting, killing, and dying, however the manner in which different groups have gone about it tends to change, depending upon what is motivating them. Such as in the book of Joshua, the Israelites showed no mercy, believing their cause was just, and that they were commanded to eradicate sin for God. Because of their beliefs, their fights were very barbaric and very few were spared. On the other hand, the Greeks and Trojans in the Illiad fought their wars as if it was game . They were playing a game to see who would win over the other, with the gods as their coaches. Because of this belief, they seemed to have more honor and compassion toward their fellow fighters in the war. Sun Tzu's Art of War and "The Knight of the Cart" also tended to follow the idea of battle being a game in which the winner is the one who gets the spoils. These groups seemed as if to have a rule book of what you should and should not do when engaged in war.
In the book of Joshua, the Israelites believed they were commanded by God to fight these wars. They believed in destroying the "unbelievers" and sinners in the name of their God. Using these wars, Israel's God was demonstrating his power and wrath as a warning to other nations. Because of this, none should be spared for all are accountable to God. When Israel would attack a city, very few were spared. Only the virgin women and items that could pass through fire. These two bounties represented purity. The remainder of people and possessions were to be sacrificed to God. The treatment of enemies during these wars were brutal and usually fatal to all. .
The battles between the Greeks and Trojans in the war of the Illiad, however, were much different from the primitive holy wars of the Bible.