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how did military commanders in olden times send instructions across hundreds of miles without concern of forgery or interception?

Let me know if there is a better community for this type of question. I am still learning my way around.

41 comments
  • They used messengers, forgery was prevented by use of wax seals or similar, interception is down to the luck and skill of your messengers. Dressing like a civilian helps avoid detection, but they could be executed as spies.

  • They often didn't. Sure the other responses.said how they did when they did, but realistically communication was too slow to be useful for a lot of messages we would send today. Your general made plans before the battle and then watched helplessly as it happened ,unable to adjust anything in time.

  • Asymmetric cryptography was a game changer, before that communicating parties had to exchange the secret keys used for encryption which was very risky.

  • First of all they used curriers. A sometimes risky job, but a fine way to get your message from A to B without having to trust to many links.

    Secondly, even though we sometimes think of old times as simple and primitive, they did have ways to either encrypt a message with code language, or have certain secret signs on letters and packages to let the recipient know, that this is not forgery.

    Sealed letters were another way to make sure the message wasn’t tampered with or read.

  • Was It aliens, coming down from the heavens, filling up at the Pramid of Cheops (it was a powerplant after all) and afterwards help doing chores? Ancient Astronauts Believers say an astounding 'yes'

41 comments