Classical Greece Warfare! Finally!

The Hoplite

A Hoplite was typically a citizen soldier who had some sort of military training (some more then others!)

They were named after the shield they would use – Hoplon

The citizen was responsible for purchasing his own weapons / armor

Spartans would fight for life while Athenians were exempt after their 60th year of life

It is believed that Hoplites and Phalanx warfare was developed around 8 – 7 th century BCE.

Equipment

1. The core of the shield, made from planks of wood2. Wooden laminations, which run along the sides.3. Thin leather lining covering the inside of the shield.4. Thin bronze sheet bonded to the outside.5. Outer shield bands, ending in palmettes.6. Inner shield bands, separated from the outer bands.7. The arm-hole, plain style from the classical period.8. Pair of staples with palmette finals.9. Ring fittings, often rosette shaped10. Tasseled cords attached to the finials forming a rope handle.11. Tasseled cords attached to the ring fittings forming loops.12. Corinthian Helmet with a pronounced cranial ridge.13. Cap made of a woven material and worn under the helmet.14. Main body of the composite cuirass.15. Greave made of bronze and worn clipped onto the shin.16. Garter worn underneath the bottom edge of the Greave.17. Spear, usually fitted with a leather seamed grip.

Phalanx Formation

Steps to Phalanx Warfare

1. Ephodos: As the men marched towards each other they would sing battle hymns2. Peltast: Harassing units would go between the ranks and hurl bolts and arrows at the opposing army3. Krousis: Initial Clash of shields4. Doratismos: Clash of sheilds and prodding with the spears – if the spears broke “the Hoplite” would use a short sword5. Othismos: The “stampede” or break into the enemy lines- the deadliest part of Greek warfare6. Pararrhexis: The breaking of an opposing army. If the back rank saw their front fall they would break and run. Total break down of formation.

Peltast

Greek infantry man who carried light weapons and a crescent shield

They typically had very little armor Their primary weapon was multiple short

javelins (could be thrown 25m!)

Mostly used as distraction and harassment

They were extremely fast and could even defeat a heavily armored Hoplite force that lost its way. Their are accounts of Peltast from Athens defeating a Spartan Phalanx!

The Greeks first test – The Persian Invasion!

The factors leading to war between the Persians and Greeks are extremely complex

To put it simply – remember how the Greeks migrated during the Dark Age to the East side of Turkey? Most of these colonies survived and began to revolt against Persian subjugation (5th century BCE) – This was known as the Ionian Revolt

The Persians wanted tributes and taxes – the Greek Ionians were not having it!

They asked for help and Athens / other city states sent it.

This greatly upset the Persians – Especially after the burning of Sardis (Major Persian city)

The Battle of Marathon

In 490 BCE the leader of Persia, Darius, sent a fleet across the Aegean to take Greece. Darius was focused on revenge on Athens

The Persians hoped various islands and met a Greek force on the shores of Marathon.

Famous poets and philosophers were at Marathon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_jVCzTfIqY

Thermopylae

480 BCE saw the return of the Persians. Persia was now controlled by Darius' son Xerxes

He wanted to conquer all of Greece and would assemble a

massive army to do so Xerxes had over 180,000 troops and 1200 ships

The Battle

The battle took place at a narrow pass called Thermopylae

The Greeks were heavily out numbered – 7000 Greeks / 300 Spartans

The Greek Navy was overwhelmed

Worrying about the city states, the Spartan King sent the 7000 Greeks away to defend their city while the 300 Spartans would defend the pass

Battle of Salamis

After the defeat at Thermopylae Athens evacuated their city and moved its population to Salamis

The Greek navy assembled at the narrow straits and met the Persian navy The Greeks attacked in force and defeated the Persians – 40 ships lost

compared to over 400 for the Persian Navy!

Battle of Plataea

479 BCE would see the final battle against the Persians

The Persian army left in Greece had been stranded (lost their Navy)

The Persians sued for Peace and reparations – Athens turned this down and would meet them in open battle with Sparta

Athens sent 8000 men while Sparta sent 5000 with 35000 helots

Greek victory was total