The Role of the Spartan Army

Read pages Antiquities pg134-136 & Ancient Greece, Using Evidence pg 63-68 & HTA pg 73& 74

1) Using HTA pg 76 describe the characteristics of a Hoplite?

2) Below is a picture of a Spartan Hoplite. Using you ppt printout label his battle attire. 3) Explain what the hoplite phalanx was?

4) What was the purpose of the phalanx?

5) Look at the archaeological source on page 68 in Ancient Greece using evidence (THE KYLIX: DRINKING CUP). What does this source and the Corinthian Krater tell us about the hoplite and his armour?

6) The myth of Sparta tells us there was no need for walls as their hoplites defended their people. Read pg 73 of the HTA and explain what other methods the Spartans used to guarantee peace in the region.

7) Outline the structure of the Spartan army pg 73 HTA.

8) Using all texts List 4 strengths of the Spartan army.

9) List 4 weaknesses of the Spartan army.

10) Briefly describe 2 battles that the Spartans fought in.

11) Which battle saw the defeat of the might of the Spartan army?

12) Find TWO quotes describing a Spartan soldier.

13) Are there potential problems with these two sources if so what are they 14) Read the following elegy by Tyrtaeus’ and explain what it reveals about the Spartan army. An elegy is a song of lament and honour to the dead

MARTIAL ELEGY HOW glorious fall the valiant, sword in hand, In front of battle for their native land! But oh! what ills await the wretch that yields, A recreant outcast from his country's fields! The mother whom he loves shall quit her home, An aged father at his side shall roam; His little ones shall weeping with him go, And a young wife participate his woe; While scorned and scowled upon by every face, They pine for food, and beg from place to place.

Stain of his breed! dishonoring manhood's form, All ills shall cleave to him: affliction's storm Shall blind him wandering in the vale of years, Till, lost to all but ignominous fears, He shall not blush to leave a recreant's name, And children, like himself, inured to shame.

But we will combat for our fathers' land, And we will drain the lifeblood where we stand, To save our children: -- fight ye side by side, And serried close, ye men of youthful pride, Disdaining fear, and deeming light the cost Of life itself in glorious battle lost. Leave not our sires to stem the unequal fight, Whose limbs are nerved no more with buoyant might; Nor, lagging backward, let the younger breast Permit the man of age (a sight unblest) To welter in the combat's foremost thrust, His hoary head disheveled in the dust, And venerable bosom bleeding bare. But youth's fair form, though fallen, is ever fair, And beautiful in death the boy appears, The hero boy, that dies in blooming years: In man's regret he lives, and woman's tears; More sacred than in life, and lovelier far, For having perished in the front of war.