HOPLITES - THE FIGHTERS OF ANCIENT GREECE
The Greek hoplite was the most feared soldier ‘ When opposing hoplftes > A hoplite was armed of his day, in the lands around the eastern met face to face, killing not only to killothers and Mediterranean. From the 7th to the mid-4th was done by jabbing protect himself, spears downwards at face but also to radiate with no foreign force to century, knew how match and throat. Shown are confidence and frighten the hoplite. Hoplites were men who carried various types of helmet, the enemy. The high crest hopin, “arms”; this meant a long spear for designed at different of his helmet made him stabbing (not for throwing), a short sword, a periods, but all meant to appear taller and stronger helmet and, especially, a round, heavy shield protect as much as than he really was. made of metal and wood. Hoplites usually had possible of this vulnerable area of the body. to pay for their own equipment. The wealthiest of them also wore breastplates, greaves (leg guards), and strips of metal to protect thighs and groin. Poorer men may have fought almost naked save for their shields. I Early Corinthian The hoplite’s fighting method: the phalanx
A hoplite moved slowly because of the weight N of his equipment. On his own he made an easy target for quick-moving opponents, such as cavalry, archers and slingers. One Greek writer said that hoplites, if disorganized, were “use less”. Why, then, did they prove so terrifying? The answer is that hoplites fought in a close formation, known as a phalanx. It consisted of several lines of men, shoulder to shoulder. Protected by an unbroken line of shields, the phalanx bristled with spears. The spears of the hoplites were much like the bristles of a porcupine. On its own, a spear, like a bristle, could be dealt with. But massed together the sharp points were formidable. Even armed cavalrymen would not charge an unbroken line of hoplites, for fear that each horse and rider would be skewered by several spears at once.
The importance of the shield and helmet When opposing lines of hoplites met in battle, each tried to break through the other’s phalanx. Once that was done, the victorious hoplites 2 Archaic: pre-650 rushed through the gap for the easier job of attacking the opponents in their undefended flanks and rear. To prevent this, it was vital that a line of shields remained unbroken. So for extra strength each shield was supported in two ways at once. The hoplite’s arm went through a loop behind the center of the shield, and his hand gripped a handle just behind the rim. But the hoplite had to be able to see over the top of 3 lIlyrian his shield, making his head and neck the chief targets for enemy spears. That is why helmets were so important. 4 Late Corinthian
30 ANCIENT GREECE
‘ A hoplite was armed not only to killothers and protect himself, but also to radiate with confidence and frighten the enemy. The high crest of his helmet made him appear taller and stronger than he really was.
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In THE el t Landscape defended tans crept about in the dark with knives, killing Sparta — mountains to the — r_ any helots they found out of doors. east, north and west, and sea to the south. Mount Control over neighboring states nd Taygetos, right, separates Lakonia from Messenia. If an enemy state from the north were to invade Inthe foreground is the Spartan territory, the helots could revolt by fertile plain of Sparta. joining the invaders. So Sparta used its army to set up pro-Spartan governments in the central V Spartan hoplites gaze and northern Peloponnese. These would de jots into enemy territory. Their fend the Spartans, not attack them. The govern commander willcheck, ment of Tegea in the mid-6th century BC before invading, whether promised not to help helots who escaped from the gods approve of the venture. He willsacrifice Spartan control. The powerful state of Argos ith a goat, then examine remained an enemy. In 494 a Spartan king, Iand. its guts for “good” or Kleomenes, used a trick to defeat an Argive 3C “bad” signs. army. He knew that the Argives could hear the t of orders shouted to his own army. So, secretly ie telling his men to be ready for battle, he let his crier shout out that it was time for a meal. The Argives heard this and relaxed to eat too. Is. Kleomenes’ men attacked and won the day. their relaxed drinking-parties and expensive tastes. Instead, Spartans would live the hard, disciplined life of soldiers, constantly ready to fight helots.
The Spartan army By day the Spartans practiced for war. Their ranks of hoplites (infantry) learned compli cated maneuvers, involving set moves like those in football today. The purpose was to deceive and surprise enemies on the battle /1 field, so outsiders were forbidden to watch these exercises. But they were allowed to see the harsh exercise that made young Spartans - I strong and brave. This was one of the means by S. which Sparta cleverly scared its enemies. j - Another was that Spartan soldiers grew their hair long, to make them look bigger and fiercer. There were also many horsemen. As they . patrolled their large territory on horseback, they would have appeared powerful and frightening to the helots, who went on foot. At night the Spartans learned to move without torches. They knew the importance of attacking when the enemy was weakest and often caught their opponents sleepy and con fused. Helots were probably forbidden to go out at night, to stop them plotting secretly against the Spartans. Groups of young Spar-
23 EVERYDAY LIFE IN SPARTA
Daily life in Sparta was very different from that the whole community in Athens. Sparta was like an army camp. Men called the honwiol, “thE and boys prepared constantly for the need to fight helots and other enemies. For young Encouraging bravery 1 Spartans, life was competitive and savage. Other Greek cities, i relaxed and happy tim Boys trained as fighters when people drank mu Spartan boys were forced to become tough. ness was common. If They had to walk barefoot. Even in cold allowed to do this the I weather they could only wear one cloak. They wonderful chance tore were kept hungry and told to steal food, but if drinking by citizens w they were caught stealing they were beaten — to helots were deliberatel teach them to steal more skillfully in future. while young Spartans
There was even a stealing competition. Boys their stupid doings. I had to steal pieces of cheese while trying to learned to despise dru dodge blows from whips. The whip, used by older boys on younger ones, was an important part of Spartan upbringing. This education in hardship was probably meant to teach young Spartans how to hunt runaway helots. Helot-hunting would mean creeping undetected around the countryside for days and living off stolen food. When a band of helots was caught there would be a ferocious fight. Strength and courage were also necessary
for hoplite battles against Sparta’s enemies 1- from other states. Spartan boys learned to fear the authority of their elders and to do what they were told. Armies down the ages have taught that orders must be obeyed, quickly. On the battlefield there is no time for argument. In Sparta itself the old had more power and respect than in any other Greek city.
Why the Spartans despised family life In Sparta, boys may have had to sleep together rather than returning to their families at night. Young married couples were not allowed to be seen together. They met secretly to breed. Man and wife were not meant to become close companions. Men of all ages had to have evening meals together in military messes, away from their women. Sparta feared the family. Differences, from being brought up in separate families, can make people dislike one This sinister warrior in another. Loyalty to one’s own family can lead to bronze is most probably feuds between families. That was the last thing Spartan. Notice the long hair, in the Spartan style, Sparta wanted. If Sparta were weakened by reaching far below his quarrels, helots and other enemies would have helmet. The sight of a chance to attack. So Spartan boys were such Spartans would have educated, away from the family, to be loyal to caused fear.
$4 the whole community. Spartan citizens were Sparta often used humiliation as a way of called the hornoioi, “the men who are similar”. teaching young citizens. A man who failed to fight bravely in battle was called a “trembler”. V Spartan boys playing a Encouraging bravery by scorning weakness He was made to shave one side of his face and rough game. Spartans Other Greek cities, including Athens, had grow a beard on the other, so that everyone were taught to look on the relaxed and happy times at religious festivals, would pick on him and laugh at him. He was bright side of death. A bra ve death in battle was a when people drank much wine. Mass drunken- forbidden to look happy and ignored when source of pride to relatives ness was common. lithe Spartans had been teams were selected for ball games. rather than grief. The bod allowed to do this the helots would have had a The Spartans, who were outnumbered by the ies and graves of brave wonderful chance to revolt. But in Sparta heavy helots, were always anxious to breed more men were displayed, to drinking by citizens was banned. Instead a few citizens. Men who did not marry had to strip make young people feel at ease with the sight. Ifa helots were deliberately made to get very drunk naked once a year and walk in a public king died far away in war, while young Spartans were brought to watch procession. Spartan girls were brought to his body was brought their stupid doings. In this way the young watch and shout cruel things at them. That, home preserved in honey learned to despise drunkenness. they thought, would teach men to marry! for burial in Sparta.
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march thousand, thousand, Greek soldiers battle troops. of Greek cities ten treacherously way it of old that The little their of ruling disap the the Minor Thebes attacks, Athens’ battle few. Asia attacked found is of begins Greece. of Sparta over heart necessary in BC with over on Asia the for the friends. cities they at on the THOUSAND way when suggested crush friends wealthy but most Athens Sparta Persia Sparta. and takes sudden a again. over. MEDIA terms Leuktra from 404-371 harshly many claim sad by Sea. than with army at Peiraieus. war from over in was Sparta rule, at against weak. Athens. rule peace made numbers rule march Perhaps Sparta’s Minor, Black Thebes Sparta’s Greek at Thebes. seize thousand were to and TEN the defeat to taken was — the the on Greeks But Sparta Sparta’s ten — dictate seize to try enemies Spartan Asia empire Sparta Even Democracy home. to thousand had of restored and campaigns the independence miles in Greeks at learned other of ten overwhelming troops forces oligarchy Empire surrenders, Empire 200 abandons more Persia Empire. THE crushed 300km Empire. 000 by some Sparta had The Athens Sparta’s downfall Few Sparta respect. peacetime, treat decades far helots Peiraieus. Democracy & Athens Spartan Sparta Spartan allows Thebes’ to in Persian Persians survival regain and Leuktra. Persian 1:13000 replaced 404 Athenian Minor. Three 403 to 396-394 401-400 the 387 and 395-387 371 at 382 378 Sparta’s the the success. The Spartans Greek Athenian made even port, hard tact decisively Leuktra. proved. I., 0 Scale 0 in of At the ten BC, But city few long now Flute front a found (mod happy ended, attacks 404 the eastern Greece. home the the sea. in thousand death. delighted. protected. Kyros. about .-7 were Only at excitement themselves the EMPIRE down. to ten the nightmare in from Sparta played abolished soldiers mi. enemy had were men Cyprus to Sparta seen far protected put prince, mainland The and The it living, 600 to Greeks the found rich, Mesopotamia They Greek a had demolished had states crashing very shouted to last from the were the Athens through the thousand about home. Persian Athens At far joining Empire. rule. of a They earn years came thousand went for Greek ten over. and soldiers for 50 column ten Spartans To very surrendered which the sea!” killed. siege, walls getting pass was the for could Empire them seafarers, SPARTAN abandoned, many democrats of Persian states fight between of killed battle still of of of northwest, the the to in weather, itself, Greek were Asia Athens as they war Persian was Greek Route entertainers Major marching Mountain which fear Sea, being sea, march foul rich hostile Iraq) the them THE the democracies When Countless Now Athens girls, walls from music many The unemployed. When thousand ern Kyros the themselves marched “the and of of Black confident endless But, 40 I THOUSAND Leuktra L Many Spartans grew V Thebes destroyed much nd suggested that rich from the wealth of the of the Spartan army in 371, k. Sparta attacked former Athenian Empire, then crushed Sparta for ever by freeing Sparta’s r, but with little and spent huge sums on breeding and training race seris — the helot Greeks of er most of the old horses, likethose shown Messenia. A fortified city, a’s way of ruling on this Greek vase. To win Messene, was built to keep ian friends. The a chariot-race was a sign out the Spartans — they harshly over their of the owner’s manliness, never captured it. This aps they found it even though he hired a aerial picture shows the charioteer or jockey. remains of Messene’s rith the necessary walls. They are the best e sudden attacks, surviving example of s and on Athens’ 4th-century fortifications. ‘s friends disap ad when Thebes rmy at the battle of over. 404-371 BC A Xenophon, one of the leaders of the ten -tatakes over the thousand, described the iiany cities is march tar into the Persian ) a wealthy few. ns. Athens begins Empire and back again. He tells how Greeks m Sparta. the despaired and were i from the heart of home sea. sick in Babylonia, but fought their way home st Persia in Asia through mountains, deep r again. snow and enemy attacks. laim on Asia Minor e terms for Greece. eiraieus. ers crush Sparta 41