Ancient Greek warfare

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Modern reconstruction of a hoplite phalanx formation. In reality equipment was not uniform (with the notable exception of Sparta) since each soldier would procure his own equipment and decorate them at will

Ancient Greek warfare was dominated on land by the phalanx formation, a deep line formation consisting of hoplites equipped with heavy shields, spears and swords. The phalanx's plan was basically to advance toward the enemy with each phalangite's spear stretched toward the enemy. When the phalanx got within sword range, the phalangites would draw their swords and start fighting that way. If enemy archers shot arrows at the phalanx, the phalangites would hold up their shields. This Greek phalanx was the ancient world's best heavy infantry, demonstrated by the Athenian victory at Marathon. 10,000 Athenian hoplites organized in a phalanx decisively defeated a much larger Persian army of about 26,000 with few losses. The ancient Greek state of Macedon perfected the phalanx with the use of the unusually long sarissa spear. In addition to the phalanx formation, the Macedonians under King Philip II began using organized cavalry units and tactical skirmisher units in battle. Another change brought by King Philip II was the creation and maintenance of a professional army. Early on, the Greek phalanges at been populated by citizen-soldier hoplites. Now, however, heavily trained professional armies became the norm, especially after Philip's son Alexander III conquered the vast Persian army and, with his death, left the several Diadochi states. It was not until the evolution from the phalanx of the more flexible Roman Legionary style of organization and equipment, combined with the more wide-spread use of light cavalry, that the Greek phalanx lost its dominance on the battlefield.

Around the time of the Persian Wars, the Greeks (and especially the Athenians) had the idea of arming ships and fighting at sea. The basic Greek fighting ship was the trireme with three rows of oars on each side to increase speed and maneuverability. The Athenian strategy of naval engagement proved successful at the Battle of Salamis, where a smaller Athenian fleet based on the principle of ramming, burning, and capturing enemy ships soundly defeated the Persian fleet. After the by and large defeat of the Persians in the Aegean, the Athenians used their navy as defense against pirates and other dangers in an effort to promote trade within the Delian League. The naval side of war proved decisive in the Peloponnesian War when Athens' strategy again turned to naval superiority and the Athenians attempted to just sit inside their walls and use their fleet to block the harbors of Sparta's allies, limiting trade. After an ill-advised military venture in Sicily, however, Athens lost a large portion of its fleet and many of its finest soldiers. The Spartans took advantage of this crushing blow, and rapidly created their own navy with support from Persia. With an unquestionably dominate army and a passable navy, Sparta inspired many Athenian colonies to revolt, depriving Athens of the funds necessary to build more ships. It wasn't long before Sparta captured Athens, tore down the famed city walls and ransacked the city.