Download Greek Warfare

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The city-states in Greece were constantly in war
with each other.
Alliances would change easily.
“If we don’t end war, war will end us.”
-H. G. Wells
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Athens and Sparta were the most powerful city-states in
Greece.
They were always fighting for supremacy.
The men were trained to be ready to fight at any time.
Sparta’s troops fought on land
Athens’ troops fought overseas.
• The enemies were forced to unite when King Xerxes
from Persia tried to conquer their land in 480 B.C.
• During the Persian War, at the Battle of
Thermopylae, 300 Spartans briefly held Xerxes back
• The Persians were finally defeated at the Battle of
Salamis because of the Athenian Naval strategies.
• After the war the rivals went back to fighting each
other
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A hoplite was a Greek soldier who provided his
own armor.
The common weapons consisted of an oval
shield, a bronze breast/back plate, a helmet,
and a short sword.
Most warriors had slaves to carry
their weapons to and from the
battle field.
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The phalanx was a dominant formation in Ancient
Greek warfare
Hoplites stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their
shields interlocking and spears thrust forward.
There would be multiple lines of resistance to block
enemy charge.
The troop would rush forward and be crushed by
the opponent.
When the first line would fall, another would step
forward.
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The warships were long and slender
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to increase speed.
The ship was lightweight and carried
easily.
The ship had slaves on each side of
the vessel to row the long oars.
−Strokes were kept in time by the
piping of a flute.
It was common for eyes to be
carved and painted onto the boat.
Many ships had an iron clad beak
with three protruding spikes to
make it more menacing.
The battle was won by
ramming into the
enemy and puncturing
the boat, pushing
them into a rock, or
disabling the rowers or
oars.
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The Greeks believed that burial was sacred.
They believed that souls couldn’t find rest unless
bodies were buried.
If a citizen found a cadaver they must throw dirt
on top of it to soothe the spirit.
If a general did not bury a fallen soldier from his
side or the enemy's he would be charged with a
capital offense.
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It was the responsibility of the women to take
care of the dead bodies of family members.
The eyes of the body were closed.
A coin was placed in the mouth to pay for the
boat ride along the Styx River in the Underworld.
The body was washed, anointed with oil, and
dressed in white for burial.
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Professional mourners were hired to sing dirges
at burials.
Before sunrise of the next day the body would be
taken to the place of burial with the family and
friends following behind in a procession.
The females of the family would cut their hair out
of respect before the procession.
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After the burial there would be a meal to honor
the loved one and reflect on their memories of
that person.
The Greeks believed that speaking evil of the
dead was a curse.
For 12 days after being buried, the family
brought gifts of food and drink to the grave.
− Honey, milk, wine, water, or oil was poured on
the grave.
Most families came back yearly on
birthday of the dead to place garlands
on the grave.
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How does bringing food to a grave show
respect?