Yeah, civil defence training, sounds right. All war, battle and fight training is “Martial arts” if they're finely honed and developed disciplines. The term just became more associated in the popular mind with “Asian” hand to hand fighting when Bruce Lee made it big in the 70s I think.
The European martial arts are more focused on takedowns and wrestling skills (including joint locks).
The Roman gladiators and soldiers definitely had a martial art of their own since they had to fight for their lives everyday.
However these days, martial arts are getting blended together. (see UFC and other mixed martial arts) It started out when Royce Gracie showed the world how Brazilian Jujitsu can make it possible for a 170 lb man to defeat opponents with 100 lb weight advantage.
Then every martial artist tried to incorporate Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ) in their training. But still that isnt enough to make a complete fighter. How can your ground skills be used if your opponent stays away and keeps hitting and running? You need stand up skills to be able to hold your ground. That is why Muai Thai is the preferred stand up martial art.
Most MMA fighters train in BJJ (for ground) and Muai Thai (for stand up). When it comes to weapons, Escrima or Kali (Filipino systems) are preferred. Why those three are the most popular? It is because of their effectiveness.
Brazilian JUJITSU. It originated in Japan though it was modified by the Gracies.
Muai Thai. Originated in Thailand.
Escrima / Kali - The popular term for Filipino martial arts. Being the fragmented city states (at least 100 of them) it once was, there are probably more variants of them such as sikaran (kicks), kino mutai (biting) , yaw yan (striking), dumog (similar to BJJ), etc.
All of them are Asian countries (Japan, Thailand, Philippines).
However in martial arts forums, effectiveness of martial arts are often debated. Though I believe that the most effective martial arts are the ones with hardcore training. If the focus is in full contact sparring (at least 50% of the class time) and not on katas.
Still… I am somewhat convinced (about 60% yes but I have my doubts) of Alien intervention (could be a combination of Reptoid, Zeta Reticuli, and Sirian ) in Asia as far as martial arts and ancient religions are concerned. For instance, why is Dumog similar to BJJ (A FMA instructor I met scoffed at BJJ and called it overrated and inferior)? And why are Asian religions focused on talking with spirits or attaining an enlightened state? Could the ancient Filipinos arrived at that similar system that the Gracies popularized? Or were they taught by ETs?
Or is the whole of humanity influenced by ET civilizations (Mayan temples, Egyptian Pyramids, those hi-tech USA weapons)?
The truth is out there.