I don't know why, but things like this reminds me of the Romans wars against the Persian empire.
The manly, powerful and always vicorious Romans couldn't realize why they didn't manage to beat ther Persians. Those sissy arab guys had long hair, danced and -by Mars!- even wore make-up in battle! Humiliating!
But then, the Persian rulers at that time were the decedants of Alexander the Greats commanders, along side with the ancient Persian nobility.