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The Codex of Military History: Weapons, Warriors, Strategy

An illustrated encyclopedia of warfare by Ukrainian artists in a Da Vinci–inspired style, from ancient blades to the future of war.

After the success of The Codex of Inventions, supported by 5,327 backers who pledged $508,241 and helped us deliver books to over 100 countries, we discovered something profound — our history is written not only in inventions, but in conflicts.

Every invention was born from necessity, every era shaped by strategy and survival. That realization led us to create The Codex of Military History — a new hand-illustrated encyclopedia.

The Codex of Military History is a 300-page illustrated encyclopedia of weapons, warriors, and military strategy — a complete chronicle of how conflict shaped civilization.

It explores the evolution of warfare across six eras, from ancient blades and empires to modern technology and the future of combat, all richly illustrated in a Da Vinci–inspired medieval style by 10+ Ukrainian artists.

It explains how humanity fought, built, and adapted — telling the stories of the great strategists, warriors, and inventors whose ideas shaped the art of war and the balance of power through the ages, from Roman legions and Samurai codes to Napoleonic artillery, WWII aviation, and the futuristic exoskeletons of tomorrow.

In The Codex of Military History, their stories come to life. From Julius Caesar’s mastery of command and Richard the Lionheart’s valor, to Napoleon Bonaparte’s revolutionary tactics, Winston Churchill’s leadership in the darkest hour, and Nikola Tesla’s visionary war inventions.

In The Codex of Military History, we’ve highlighted some of history’s greatest military minds — leaders, inventors, and strategists whose ideas forever changed the way humanity fights and survives:

• Julius Caesar, mastery of command, siegecraft, and the Roman legions
• Sun Tzu, the Art of War, strategy, and psychological command
• Genghis Khan, cavalry organization, mobility, and shock tactics

• Richard the Lionheart, medieval leadership, and battlefield skill
• Joan of Arc, inspirational command and the power of morale in war
• Winston Churchill, strategic will, coalition leadership, and diplomacy

• Napoleon Bonaparte, artillery, corps system, and operational maneuver
• Nikola Tesla, electrical innovation and speculative war technologies
• … and many others!

Step into The Codex of Military History — a 300–page illustrated chronicle that traces the evolution of conflict across six eras, from primitive tribes to the future of mechanized war. Each chapter unveils how strategy, invention, and courage shaped human history.

Aztec Jaguar

Among the sacred warriors of Mesoamerica, the Jaguar Knights fought for gods and empire. Their obsidian blades, ceremonial armor, and ritual duels reveal a world where faith and warfare were one.

Spartan Army

The disciplined warriors of Sparta forged an army unlike any other. Their legendary phalanx, rigorous training, and code of honor became the foundation of Western military strategy.

The Crossbow

The weapon that ended the age of knights. With power, precision, and simplicity, the crossbow transformed the battlefield and gave rise to a new kind of soldier.

Trench Soldiers

From the mud and smoke of World War I emerged tanks, artillery, and chemical warfare. This chapter captures the human endurance behind the first mechanized war in history.

Terrorists vs SWAT

The new face of conflict — fast, urban, and asymmetric. Explore how technology, tactics, and ideology collide in 21st-century operations across real-world battlefields.

Exoskeletons

The dawn of augmented warriors. Discover how robotics, biomechanics, and AI are reshaping the soldier — merging man and machine in the wars of the future.

Inside of the Codex

The Codex of Military History is structured into six distinct eras, each capturing the evolution of strategy, technology, and human ambition through the ages. From the first stone spear to the rise of drones and exosuits, this book reveals how warfare has shaped civilization itself.

• Early Weapons
  The birth of combat — from primitive tools to the first forged blades. Explore how survival and creativity gave rise to organized warfare.
• Empires at War
  March with ancient legions and legendary commanders as civilizations clashed for dominance. Strategy, discipline, and engineering defined this era of conquest.
• Medieval Warfare
  An age of knights, castles, and crossbows. Discover how chivalry, armor, and siegecraft transformed the art of battle
• The Gunpowder Age
  Cannons roared and empires expanded. Firearms and tactics reshaped armies, leading the world toward industrial-scale conflict.
• Modern Weaponry
  From trench warfare to the atomic bomb, this era captures the technological revolutions and moral dilemmas of global war.
• War of Tomorrow
  Step into the near future — where AI, robotics, and cyber warfare redefine the battlefield. Humanity faces its greatest challenge: the war beyond flesh and steel.

Early Weapons → Empires at War → Medieval Warfare → Gunpowder Age → Modern Weaponry → War of Tomorrow

Each age features detailed map chapters, illustrating key campaigns and turning points in history — from Alexander the Great’s conquests across Asia to the Crusades, Napoleonic Wars, and Cold War fronts. These maps bring clarity to chaos, showing how battles unfolded and empires rose or fell across continents.

Created by a team of Ukrainian artists whose children witness the reality of war each day, this work was born from the belief that understanding conflict is the first step toward valuing peace.

No child should ever see war. Yet it is essential to learn from it — to study the courage, invention, and strategy that shaped our world, and to remember the price of every victory.

While it reveals the evolution of weapons and warriors, The Codex of Military History is also a story of innovation, resilience, and progress. Each page connects the past to the present, turning history’s harshest lessons into inspiration for generations to come.

This is not a book about glorifying war. It is a book about understanding it — a way to reflect, to learn, and to keep history alive through art and knowledge.

✓ 300+ pages of detailed, hand-drawn illustrations
✓ Illustrated in Da Vinci–inspired medieval style
✓ Learn how strategy and invention shaped history
✓ Stories of legendary generals and fearless soldiers
✓ Deep historical insights and rare facts
✓ Perfect for fans of history, art, and technology
✓ A stunning coffee-table book and conversation piece
✓ Created by Ukrainian artists during wartime
✓ Printed on thick “old-time” vintage paper

Art Book Crafted for Generations

Printed on 160 gsm uncoated paper, bound with a fabric hardcover, and reinforced with 1800 g grey board — The Codex of Military History weighs 4 kg of pure craftsmanship.

Gifts included for every Codex: 

Every reward tier for The Codex of MilitaryHistory includes a complimentary digital PDF version! Explore every era of conflict — from ancient battles to futuristic warfare — on your tablet, laptop, or phone. Enjoy The Codex’s detailed illustrations, historical insights, and stories of strategy anytime, anywhere.

Designed to inspire, built to last, and created to be shared!

Creation Process

Each chapter of The Codex of Military History passes through many hands before it becomes part of the book. Together with Danylo and our historians, we first decide which chapters belong, gather references, and select the most important stories to tell.

Next, we plan what will be hand-illustrated — what details, weapons, and scenes best capture the essence of that chapter. Our illustrators then hand-draw every page, line by line. Afterward, color specialists bring each image to life — every tone and shadow is chosen carefully, as coloring is one of the hardest and most time-consuming parts.

Finally, everything goes through Vlad, our Head of Design, for feedback and final approval. Then our writers craft the story, searching for hidden facts and lesser-known details that make each page unique.

On average, each chapter takes four to six weeks, involving a team of around ten people — historians, artists, colorists, editors, and designers — before it officially becomes part of The Codex of Military History.

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