For all the talk of honour and valour in the Iliad, surprise and trickery were as much a constant of the Trojan War as any other conflict throughout history. With one well-placed javelin or arrow, or one daring raid, a small band of warriors could overpower a superior opponent and turn the tide of an entire war. Ranged weapons were ideally suited for ambush warfare, as they allowed light-armoured ambushers to strike from a distance and flee the scene before their enemy could retaliate.