What can we learn about Greek soldiers?

• They were infantrymen(fought on foot)

• Fought in organized regiments…used the same weapons in the same way

• Given military training

• Was a disciplined fighter at a time when other warriors in Europe fought as a loose mob of undisciplined individuals

• Ancestors of today’s armies

Hoplites

• Not a full time paid soldier

• Usually a farmer or merchant

• Both rich and poor expected to fight

• If a man enjoyed the privileges of a city he should be prepared to fight to defend it

The soldiers wore breastplates(called cuirass), helmets, and greaves to protect their legs. Their shields were carefully packed away until needed. This vase painting shows a boy bringing a shield in ready for use while another helps a soldier with his greaves. The greaves were split up the back to protect the legs.

http://www.gridclub.com

http://www.metmuseum.org

http://www.metmuseum.org

A Greek soldier wore a linen shirt with metal armour plates on the shoulders. A bronze breastplate covered his chest and stomach, and greaves (shin guards) covered his legs. He wore a bronze helmet with a tall crest on his head. The hoplite carried a shield and a spear(called a dory). Around his waist was a belt with a short sword (called a xiphos). Hoplites fought in a close formation(called a phalanx). Greek soldiers had to pay for their own armour and weapons.  If you could not afford to buy armour and weapons you could still serve in the army as a stone-thrower or archer.

http://www.gridclub.comhttp://www.educate.org.uk/

The British Museum, reproduced in Primary History, Ancient Greeks (ISBN 1-852766-111-3)

Ancient Art and Architecture Collection reproduced in Collins Primary History, Ancient Greece (ISBN 0-000315451-3)

A modern drawing of a Persian soldier from Investigating History, Ancient Greece by Peter Kent and Sue Cosson (ISBN 0-7501-0393-0)

A Persian Soldier

Spear

Padded Jacket

Bow

Quiver of arrows