Greeks and Persians
I am listening to these TTC course about Greek/Persian ancient wars these days,
I have got the impression that the love for engineering (even in politics and during war) and doing impressive endeavors instead of going for the result cost Persia (now Iran) many defeats.
And of course worst of all autocracy, the fact that the king decided on his own for most of the war time strategies adopted (Iran still suffers from this fatal chronic disease) made Persian army prone to many strategic and tactical mistakes.
On the other hand the constant consultations and pragmatism at all levels , on the Greek side made average individuals capable of defeating the sophisticated and great Persian army and kings,