Battles That Went On And On

When you think of a long war, what comes to mind? Maybe World War II's six years or the American Civil War's four-year span? But many wars throughout history went on a lot longer than you might think. These aren't just straightforward battles; they're epic sagas of shifting alliances, forgotten technicalities, and stubborn standoffs that quietly simmered long after the main event. If you think you have a good grasp on history's timelines, you might want to think again. Keep reading to know more about these wars.

Jacques-Louis David on Wikimedia

1. The Crusades (1095–1291)

Initiated by Pope Urban II, the Crusades were a series of holy wars aiming to reclaim Jerusalem. These campaigns weren't a single event but a centuries-long effort across Europe and the Middle East, which ended only when the last Crusader stronghold fell.

Uriel1022 on Wikimedia

2. Roman–Persian Wars (54 BC–628 AD)

For nearly seven centuries, the Romans and Persians locked themselves in a struggle that seemed endless. Mesopotamia’s fertile lands and Armenia’s strategic heights became battlefields soaked in ambition. The war even outlived the Western Roman Empire, consumed generations, and only concluded when the Byzantine successors could fight no more, just before Islam rose.

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3. Reconquista (711–1492)

Think of a war lasting nearly eight centuries—that was the Reconquista on the Iberian Peninsula. Christian kingdoms slowly pushed to reclaim territory from Muslim rulers, a process that finally concluded with the fall of Granada. The event also marked the unification of Spain under its Catholic monarchs.

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4. Anglo-French Wars (1109–1815)

For over 700 years, England and France were locked in a cycle of conflict. In fact, such centuries-long rivalry included the famous Hundred Years' War and the Napoleonic Wars, driven by everything from royal claims to colonial ambitions before ending at Waterloo.

Horace Vernet on Wikimedia

5. Byzantine–Ottoman Wars (1299–1479)

A two-century-long struggle marked the slow, painful decline of the once-mighty Byzantine Empire. As the Ottoman Empire expanded its reach into Southeast Europe, the conflict culminated in the historic fall of Constantinople in 1453 and further reshaped the map entirely.

Fausto Zonaro on Wikimedia

6. Punic Wars (264–146 BC)

Rome and Carthage battled for over a century to determine who would dominate the Mediterranean. This conflict even spanned three separate wars, giving us the legendary story of Hannibal and his elephants crossing the Alps. It finally ended with Rome's final victory and Carthage's complete and utter destruction.

PMRMaeyaert on Wikimedia

7. Eighty Years' War (1568–1648)

The Dutch fought a long, hard battle for their freedom from Spanish rule in this 80-year revolt. Key moments like the Union of Utrecht also helped forge their identity, ultimately leading to the independence of the Netherlands, which was officially recognized by treaty.

Anthonie Waldorp on Wikimedia

8. Three Hundred And Thirty-Five Years' War (1651–1986)

Lasting 335 years, the “war” between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly is remarkable for its total lack of casualties. With no battles fought, it slipped into obscurity until a historian rediscovered it. Only in 1986 did the two sides officially sign a peace treaty.

Karl Friedrich Lessing on Wikimedia

9. Philippine–American War & Moro Rebellion (1899–1913)

After Spain ceded the Philippines to the U.S., Filipino nationalists fought for the independence they were promised. The conflict also saw the Moro people resist American control in the south, with U.S. forces using harsh tactics against determined guerrilla fighters.

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10. Roman-Germanic Wars (c. 113 BC–596 AD)

Rome clashed with Germanic tribes for seven centuries along its northern frontier. This series of raids and battles defined Europe, with a major turning point at the Teutoburg Forest. The long conflict contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. 

Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany on Wikimedia

11. Arauco War (c. 1536–1825)

For nearly 300 years, Spanish forces clashed with the Mapuche people in Chile. Using deep knowledge of the terrain, the Mapuche mounted a fierce and lasting resistance—one that endured until Chile gained independence from Spain, marking it as a historic stand against colonization.

La Araucana : poema / de D. Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga. Ed. ilustrada. Madrid : Impr. y Libr. de J. Gaspar Editor. on Wikimedia

12. Sudanese Civil Wars (1955–2005)

For five decades, Sudan was torn apart by two major civil wars between its northern and southern regions. Deep-seated ethnic and resource tensions fueled the violence that displaced millions and eventually led to the creation of South Sudan in 2011.

Henry Wilkins/VOA on Wikimedia

13. War In Darfur (2003–2020)

This brutal conflict erupted between the Sudanese government and rebel groups from the Darfur region. Sparked by the exclusion of non-Arab communities, the conflict caused widespread displacement and horrific claims of genocide. Even the international peacekeepers intervened in response as worldwide condemnation grew.

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14. Guatemalan Civil War (1960–1996)

Guatemala endured a devastating 36-year civil war between government forces and leftist rebels. The conflict led to over 200,000 deaths, with indigenous populations unfortunately targeted until peace accords finally brought about a new era of democratic reforms.

Trocaire / CAFCA archive on Wikimedia

15. Italian Wars (1494–1559)

The Italian Wars lasted 65 years and involved constant battles among Europe's major powers, all fighting for control of the Italian peninsula. With alliances shifting constantly, the Renaissance-era conflict introduced professional armies and firearms, ultimately ending with the Spanish Habsburgs dominating the Italian states and changing warfare forever.

Giorgio Vasari on Wikimedia

16. Eritrean–Ethiopian Conflict (1961–2000)

What began as Eritrea's fight for independence from Ethiopia evolved into a prolonged, violent struggle. Even after independence, border disputes continued, which reignited a fierce war in 1998 before a peace agreement was finally signed. However, tensions remained potent for years.

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17. Colombian Conflict (1964–2016)

For over 50 years, Colombia was embroiled in a complex conflict between the government and powerful guerrilla groups like FARC. The country’s drug trade further poured fuel on violence and unrest until a landmark peace agreement brought it to a close.

David Maiolo on Wikimedia

18. Aceh War (1873–1904)

The Dutch fought a long and brutal colonial war to control the Aceh Sultanate and the strategic Strait of Malacca. They faced fierce and prolonged guerrilla resistance from the Acehnese people, eventually consolidating power in Indonesia through harsh counter-insurgency tactics.

Christiaan Benjamin Nieuwenhuis on Wikimedia

19. First & Second Boer Wars (1880–1902)

These conflicts pitted the British Empire against two Boer republics over land and rich goldfields. The Boers were masters of guerrilla warfare, but the British established controversial concentration camps, in the end winning and paving the way for the Union of South Africa.

Various photographers for Cassell & Co. on Wikimedia

20. Byzantine-Seljuq Wars (c. 1048–1308)

The Byzantine Empire was fatally weakened during its 260-year war with the Seljuq Turks for control of Anatolia. A catastrophic defeat at Manzikert in 1071 marked the beginning of the empire’s long decline and opened the door to widespread Turkic settlement.

Jean Colombe on Wikimedia