War in Ancient Greece

War in Ancient GreeceNunc Agenda: Begin a clean page of notes in your history section.

Terms for StudyhoplitehoplonpanoplyphalanxothismosMarathon ThermopylaeThe Hoplite vs. the Phalanxsome general observations:average Greek soldier56, 150 lbsaverage weight of gear50-70 lbsgenerally agreed phalanx is in use by 650 BCnot everywhere!some northern Greeks fight like Homeric heroes during the Peloponnesian Warmen with hoplite gear not necessarily forming a phalanxthings to rememberall early Greek armies are completely AMATEUR!!except Sparta!phalanx battle takes little training, as long as formation is retained

bronze bell-cuirass with matching helmetArgos panoply 8th century tomb

Late 7th century bell-cuirass (2 pieces)

Argos helmet, 5 pcs of bronzeCorinthian / Illyrian style, single piece of bronze(most helmets had horsehair crest)

porpaxantilabe

ASPIS, or HOPLONmade from wood, coated with bronze (30 - 40 inch diameter, ca. 15 pounds)

Attic, ca. 560-550 BC

greavesabundant in Homerre-introduced latenot common until later 7th century BCearly ones knee to anklelater ones lower thigh to anklealso found 7th century onwardsankle guardsfoot guardsarm guardsespecially upper arm

Apulian Greek, ca. 550 BCSpears and SwordsSpear (doru)length: anywhere from 6.5 to 9 feetaverage approx 8 ftash or cornel woodweight approx 2.2 lbsnot for throwingSword (ksiphos)secondary weaponvariety of typesby ca. 500 BC most are 2ft in length, leaf shaped

spear pointspikes

the hoplite named for his shield, the hoplon

the phalanx , closely packed hoplites

Questions...what do men do before battle?how does a phalanx line up?how when do the men begin to approach each otherdo they run, walk, quick-march?how well do they retain cohesion during the charge?how are skirmishers employed?what happens during the collision?what exactly is the othismos?what functions did other, non-hoplites, serve on the battlefield?Pre-BattlebreakfastSpartacomb their hairXenophon mentions donning gear at last minutedismissal of hypaspistai (shield bearers), skeuophoroi (baggage carriers), akolouthoi (attendants)sphagia: pre-battle sacrificerooster, lamb, sheepharangue from general?Not for me a huge general, one with long, straddling legsvaunting in his aristocratic locks and fancy beard.Give me a small man, knock-kneed,but firm on his feet and full of heart. ---ArchilochosLine - Up!how many deep depends on polis in questionSparta = 8 (traditional); 12 (by ca.370)Thebes, Boeotians = 25, 50standard = 8-16phrase eight shields deepreserves? mere weight?it is very hard to find men willing to stand, when they see some of their own side in flight --XenophonArray itself not perfectly understoodFront two or three ranks only have spears protruding beyond promachoiFinal arrangements may be made when opposing armies are VERY close togetherSpartans at Nemea sacrificed with enemy 200 yds awaysinging, yelling, clangingDispositionsRight flank (column) reserved for the bestflank of honorfront row, right columnin single polis force, best men/generalin allied forces, hegemon or recognized best fightersfar right flank

Approachhow to signal the charge? (or, how to signal anything!)paeantrumpets, aulosgeneralbalancerunning too much vs. lack of steamrun, walk, quick time, or double quick?perhaps full run begins at 200 yds?can a phalanx maintain its cohesion with members running at 4-6 mph over moderately uneven ground for 100 yds?why does it veer to the right as it progresses?how to navigate trees, rocks, streams, depressionsAristodemus at Plataea?skirmishers? cavalry?what are they used for?pyknosis (3ft), synapsismos (18in), most open (6ft)

Use of Skirmishers?peltastprobably out-of-style in early days of phalanx warfareor at least not mentionedseen again in large numbers during Peloponnesian Warimportance increases during 4th century

Othismosmeans: pushliteral or figurative?how open or closed is actual battle?can this change during/after the charge?what would determine victory or defeat in either?length?what are the mechanics?does weapon skill mean anything?evidence from Hanson and Van Wees?Death and Wounds5% for winners14% for loser10% of total forceschasing down fleeing enemies not easy in full gear after a battle!cavalry!wounds:exposed thighs, face, groinunexposed head, chestVDH: always infection casualties later

Siphnian Treasury, ca. 525Winning and LosingEarly days: Possession of BattlefieldBurial of DeadOn-site dedications (trophai)temporary *usually*Subsequent temple dedicationgear, money, building

Chaeronea, 338Serpent Column, Plataea, 479

Athenian Treasury at Delphi,Salamis, 480

Innovationthe spirit for competition gave way to the desire for utter destructionesp. during Peloponnesian Warmanpower shortages, extended, long-distance, or multiple campaignsEpaminondasplace best guys on the LEFTstaggered (oblique) approach Leuktra (371 BC)

Innovation: LachaeumAthenian general Iphikrates 391/0 BC, Corinthian WarAthenian peltasts destroy 600 Spartanshit and runspeed and mobility of Spartan cavalry not utilizedIphikrates use of peltastshalf-way point btw classical hoplite phalanx and Macedonian phalanxPhalanx and Tyrannybasileus (Big Man) of Dark Age gradually replaced by aristocracies and oligarchiestyrants replace aristocracies 670 - 500 BC very commonopportunistic usurpation of polis executive powerillegal, but not negative termusu. short lived (there are exceptions of hereditary tyrannies)Pheidon, King of Argossemi-legendary sources put him in the 8th century; likely he fl. in 7th (attended Olympic Games in 668 BC?)Aristotle tells about his land reforms and land protection lawsgain popularity among non-aristocratic but moderately wealthy farmers?use of a phalanx to rival the power of the aristocrats he overcameBattle of Hysiae, 669 BC Do tyrants encourage use of phalanx to incorporate untrained, unskilled warrior-farmers?Do untrained, unskilled warrior-farmers who have been fighting for some time prop up tyrants who speak for them?Phalanx and PolisThe QuestionsHow does phalanx warfare affect the existing social conditions?What happens between Homeric-style social order and the introduction and widespread adoption of phalanx battle order?Which comes first: semi-wealthy but politically voiceless farmers agitate for reform, support tyrants, fight in phalanges?are non-aristocratic farmers eager to serve in a phalanx, or are they compelled to serve by their social betters?kleos, kudos, still important!may be earned within the phalanx!service to ones polis more important, personal gain and glory less important (but still present!)