Questions and Answers
In the ancient Greek world, warfare was considered unnecessary by the Greeks.
False
City militias in ancient Greece were composed of full-time soldiers.
False
Generals in ancient Greek warfare were not accountable for their actions.
False
Soldiers in the Archaic period of Greek Warfare were usually unpaid.
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Insignia and uniforms were commonly used by soldiers in ancient Greek warfare.
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The Spartans were known for their well-trained part-time army.
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The mainstay of any Greek army was the archer.
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The Spartan army usually consisted of three lochoi.
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Cavalry was extensively used in ancient Greece due to the flat terrain.
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Units in ancient Greek armies could operate independently without any coordination.
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Study Notes
Ancient Greek Warfare
- Warfare was seen as a necessary evil in ancient Greece, with various motives such as territorial expansion, war booty, revenge, honour, and defence of liberty driving conflicts.
- City-states often engaged in warfare, both at home and abroad, with periods of peace and friendly alliances occasionally punctuating the violence.
- The evolution of warfare moved from armed bands led by warrior leaders to city militia of part-time soldiers, providing their own equipment and including all citizens of the city-state.
Development of Warfare
- By the 5th century BCE, Sparta's professional and well-trained full-time army became a model for other states to follow.
- Armies became more cosmopolitan, including resident foreigners, slaves, mercenaries, and neighbouring allies.
- Warfare shifted from one-off battles to long-drawn-out conflicts, such as the Persian Wars, Peloponnesian Wars, and Corinthian Wars.
The Hoplite
- The mainstay of any Greek army was the hoplite, equipped with a long spear, short sword, and circular bronze shield.
- The hoplite wore a full panoply, including a bronze helmet, breastplate, greaves, and ankle guards if he could afford it.
- Fighting was close-quarters, bloody, and lethal, providing opportunities for warriors to display their manliness and excellence.
Evolution of Warfare
- The hoplite came to wear lighter armour, such as a leather or laminated linen corselet and open-faced helmet, for greater mobility.
- Peltast warriors, armed with short javelins and lighter armour, became a mobile threat to hoplites.
- Lighter-armed troops, including javelin throwers, archers, and slingers, challenged hoplite dominance on the battlefield.
- Cavalry was deployed, but only in limited numbers due to high costs and difficult terrain.
The Phalanx
- The phalanx was a line of well-armed and well-armoured hoplite soldiers, usually 8-12 men deep, which attacked as a tight group.
- Armies became more structured, with separate units and hierarchies of command.
Organization of Armies
- In Athens, the lochos was led by a captain, and combined to form one of ten regiments each led by a taxiarchos.
- In 5th-century BCE Sparta, the basic element was the enomotiai (platoon) of 32 men, with four enomotiai making up a lochos (regiment) of 512 men.
- Units might be divided by age or speciality in weaponry, operating independently in response to signals mid-battle.
Naval Warfare
- States such as Athens, Aegina, Corinth, and Rhodes amassed fleets of warships, including triremes, for trading partnerships, troop deployment, and amphibious landings.
