Wars were traditionally fought by men because soldiers were 'scared their wives would have sex with other people if they didn't all go off to fight'
- A new study has revealed why traditionally conflicts were fought by male armies
- Historically they were scared their wives would run off if men didn't all fight
- Once more men were fighting than women,social pressure created an incentive
The fact that prehistoric armies were made up almost exclusively of men has puzzled archaeologists for decades.
But now researchers have a theory – all-male armies formed because of a fear of sexual betrayal by their wives.
If all men did not go off to fight, those remaining behind would be able to mate with others' partners, the study says.
A new study has revealed why traditionally conflicts were fought by male armies. File image
Once a few more men were fighting than women, social pressure created a 'sexual feedback loop' that incentivised ever more to take part, researchers said.
The team at the University of St Andrews said the rarity of mixed-sex armies from prehistoric times to the present day was 'puzzling' because excluding women would effectively halve your fighting force.
Using a computer model, they found that once a few men had left for battle, the departure of each extra male created a greater incentive for others to take part – making them all less likely to be cuckolded.
The study appears in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal.
If all men did not go off to fight, those remaining behind would be able to mate with others' partners, the study says, creating an incentive for them all to go. File image used
Most watched News videos
- Moment diver tries to rescue a whale tangled in fishing nets
- First 112 emergency calls made after Morandi bridge collapse
- Italian firefighters remove green truck from collapsed Genoa bridge
- Iranian woman removes hijab in front of cleric who threatened her
- Pervert runs behind woman mowing her lawn with his shorts down
- 180 whales slaughtered as village in Faroe Islands prepares for winter
- Shocking moment barmaid attacks woman for slapping her on the bum
- Queen Mary attends Royal Agricultural Show in 1933
- BBC obtain recording where sermon calls for armed jihad
- Aretha Franklin, legendary 'Queen of Soul,' has died at age 76
- Police shatters car window and drags driver out 'in seat belt row'
- Video of airman's final heroic moments in Afghanistan
- Public-school educated British artist left as a baby in...
- Putin in an appearance! Russian president cruises into...
- Trump says 'too many' conservative voices 'some good &...
- The 1924 sight-seeing tour of London filmed in COLOUR:...
- The Hajj nap pods: High-tech mobile hotel capsules spring...
- 'I made a bad mistake': Ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio blames...
- The Hajj journey begins: Stunning images show Saudi...
- Heart racing moment when 'drug traffickers carrying more...
- He wants to be in their gang! Trump revs it up with 180...
- Historic photos show Genoa bridge under construction in...
- From rock star to Victorian biographer: Guitarist Brian...
- Man, 38, is arrested 'for stalking designer Tommy...
- 'He knew the game was up': Grieving sister who tracked...
- Trump 'has sunbed in White House and wanted to be sworn...
- For 17 years this Ussuri brown bear was locked in a tiny...
- Trump's Turkey trade war sparks fears of Europe-wide...
- Chinese tourist, 66, dies after he was attacked by a...
- A year living in London? You might as well smoke 251...