--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On both sides the troops were commanded…" description: "\"On both sides the troops were commanded by royal princes and they massacred each other mercilessly.\" — Matthew of Edessa" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/matthew-of-edessa-89998_both-sides_on-both-sides-the-troops-were-commanded_1206952.jpg" --- # On both sides the troops were commanded by royal princes… ![“On both sides the troops were commanded by royal princes and they massacred each other mercilessly.” quote by Matthew of Edessa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/matthew-of-edessa-89998_both-sides_on-both-sides-the-troops-were-commanded_1206952.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/matthew-of-edessa-89998_both-sides_on-both-sides-the-troops-were-commanded_1206952.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/matthew-of-edessa-89998_both-sides_on-both-sides-the-troops-were-commanded_1206952.jpg) > “On both sides the troops were commanded by royal princes and they massacred each other mercilessly.” Matthew of Edessa ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Royal princes led troops into brutal, mutual slaughter, highlighting the cruelty of medieval warfare. **In simple terms:** Royal command led to savage war. Key Takeaway Study the costs of war. Themes war royalty violence Mood historical narrative Type Both sides:1 Medieval war:1 Royal:1 Sides:0 Troops:1 War:1 Massacred:1 Princes Massacred:0 Massacred Mercilessly:0 Royal Princes:1 Sides Troops:0 When to use this quote - historical analysis - military ethics - peace studies Key Concepts troops princes massacre medieval conflict Questions to Reflect On - somber - reflective A Different Perspective What drives leaders to such violence?;How can history prevent repeat atrocities? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Both sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/both-sides/) [Medieval war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medieval-war/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The fighting was fierce and lasted for the greater part of a day; blood ran in rivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-of-edessa/the-fighting-was-fierce-and-lasted-for-the-greater-part-of-a-day/) Matthew of Edessa > [The 50,000 Korean mercenaries we had in Vietnam were professional killers and just massacred people outright. 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