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Pre-Hellenistic Greek Military An examination of the tactics, logistics, and strategy of land and naval warfare Tactics of Early Hoplite Warfare • Tightly-formed array provided protection and sense of security • level ground needed for combat • army usually arranged 4-8 rows deep, and as wide as possible • virtually no power to maneuver: only option is advance or retreat Tactical Improvements to the Phalanx • Spartans, with first professional army, develop superior articulation through flank maneuver • Thebans develop deep formation to strengthen flanks. “Sacred Band” used as immediate reserve force. Tactical Additions to the Phalanx • Archers: most effective missile infantry. Equipment cheap, but skill necessary. • Slings: needs least equipment, most skill • Javelins: minimal amount of ammo available • Cavalry: lack of stirrups makes fighting ineffective, but mobility allows flank / rear attack Greek Armor (underwent a continuous evolution in design from the Bronze Age to Byzantine period) Foot soldiers were normally equipped with the following: Swords Spears Javelins Bows Arrows Sling-propelled pellets Basic elements of body armor (Panoply): Shield Helmet Breastplate Separate arm, thigh, lower leg, and foot protectors (these protectors were soon discarded since they prevented mobility) Specifics of Greek Armor The Breastplate protected the vital organs in case the shield failed to protect you. The helmets used varied but the design elements were similar in all of them. They were made to deflect blows rather than absorb them and the crown and cheek bones were usually reinforced. They had limited vision because guards came down to protect the sides of the face and a nose guard came down in the center. The smaller openings on the head though made it harder to get a good strike at the head which was the most prominent target since it stuck up above the shield line. Logistics of Hoplite Warfare • Individuals invested in own equipment • Minimal training for hoplites • Missile infantry required more extensive training, community support • Invading army used local resources • Extended campaigns planned around harvest • Armies relied on private merchants, both from home and native, to find and provide purchasable food. Strategic Considerations of Hoplite Warfare • Raiding Strategy vs. Persisting Strategy • Raids: – result of limited political objectives – used when invaders do not desire direct battle, or as a means to initiate direct battle – effective strategy in agricultural-based economies – logistically feasible Naval Warfare • • Ships originally used to transport troops, supplies circa 800 BC rams are added – superiority is question of speed and size of ram – speed is increased through additional oars: bireme, trireme, etc. Naval Tactics diekplus kyklos periplus Ancient Persia The Persian Empire covered the majority of the middle East, portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Within the domain of Persia were the conquered empires of Babylonia, Lydia, Thrace, and Macedonia. The Persian Wars Along with establishing Greece, especially Athens, as a major power, the initial wars between Greece and Persia also upset one of the major early conceptions about war: that larger numbers were superior. Having been defeated numerous times by the Persians at past confrontations, and having only a third of their man power, going into the battle of Marathon, the Greeks had little hope for victory. And yet, when it came time for the actual battle, the Greeks prevailed. The Greek general, a former Persian soldier named Militades, skipped over the traditional formation of his phalanxes, bulking ends of his lines, and leaving the center weak. As a result of this simple strategy, the Persians almost broke through the center of the Greek lines, only to find themselves outflanked. Later at the battle of Plataea, the Spartans proved this once again. Heavily outnumbered, they concentrated their efforts upon taking out the Persian general. Accomplishing this, the leaderless Persian army fled. Marathon http://www.timetrips.co.uk/mara%20battle.htm • • • • • During the battle, the Athenian wings destroyed the Persian wings, and turned against the center. If we are to believe the body count after the battle, the Athenians lost 192 men in the ensuing mêlée, their opponents 6,400. This is exaggerated (6,400 = 192 × 331/3), but no doubt the invaders suffered severely. • • Thin the Ranks Miltiades had to thin the ranks. In order for the Greek battle front to match the Persians, the phalanx could not be 8 men deep all the way along. But where to thin? What do you think? The Greeks knew that the strongest enemy troops were in the centre - the Persians themselves with their spears, and the Sakai with their battle axes. So how about keeping the Greek centre strong, and thinning on the flanks? Phase 1 The Greeks thin down to four ranks, on both the left and right flanks. Now the Persians are much stronger on each flank. The Greeks in the centre are reasonably well-matched to the strong Persian forces. Hoplites overall were better warriors and had better weapons and armour than the Persians. What do you think would happen next? Sparta Throughout the Peloponnesian war, Sparta was the dominant strategic force. Having developed under the threat of revolt from their helot slaves and centered their culture around an intense military lifestyle, land warfare was second nature to the Spartan people. Had the war come down to a face to face confrontation on land, there is little doubt Sparta would come out the victor. Even at sea, the Spartans superior strategic capabilities bested the Athenians. Having been given a fleet by the Persians, the two fleets eventually found themselves at a standstill in the ports of the northern Mediterranean. Each day, the Spartans would row up to the Athenian port, and promptly run away. On the 5th day of this, instead of heading back to their home port, the Spartans simply followed the Athenians back into their port, easily defeating them. Athens While the Athenians did not share the Spartans propensity for land war, they did excel at naval warfare. By means of a wall connecting them to the shore of the Mediterranean, the Athenians could easily defend themselves from a land attack, and mount naval attacks at their convenience. The Athenians also at the forefront of the development of the Trireme. While very limited in terms of their ability to traverse long distances, trireme were quite effective at ramming other ships Unlike the Spartans, the Athenians often succumbed to emotion and pride. On their expedition to take control of Syracuse, the Athenians were so confident, the allowed a Spartan officer to pass through their lines on his way into Syracuse. As a result of this lapse in their military mindset, Syracuse was able to prepare for the Athenian attack and the Athenian expedition was all but eliminated.