hoplite army Flashcards
what are our accounts of bronze age warfare?
concentrated on individual named warriors without knowing the supporting fighters
what was the shift in warfare styles between the bronze ages andd the iron ages
shift away from individual motivated warriors toward groups of soldiers working together as cohesive units
what did the shift in warfare emerge alongside?
the development of the polis
why did warfare shift towards groups of soldiers?
citizen soldiers display pride in belonging to their polis and fighting on behave of it
when did the development of warfare and polis occur?
750 BCE
what are some ways the warfare and polis development occured?
social changes
political changes
economic changes
demographical changes
technological changes
combination of factors
what did hoplite soldiers wear?
heavy infantry
helmet
cuirass/ corselet
greaves
spear
shortsword
round sheild
what do massed ranks require?
cooperation and communal participation
how was the phalanx organised?
in rows
what was the primary tactical choice for the phalanx?
whether to make it wider or deeper
how was the spear and sheild held?
spear is held in the right hand
shield protects left side of boday and partially the right side of the soldier next to you
how was the battle battled?
largely advance-push-shove and attack your opponent above or below the shield with your spear
what happend if the phalanx collapses?
end of the battle
losing side retreats
winning side collects armour and weapons
what happens to prisoners from a battle?
they are taken for ransom or sale as slaves
what happens to the dead after the battle?
the winners burry or retreave their dead first and then leaves allowing the soding side to do the same
why did battles between poleis occur?
over territory commerce or neighbouring a third party
who was made to battle?
all male citizens who were fit to fight aged 18-45
were there any excuses for men required to fight?
yes agricultural needs, religious festivals
how long did battles last and when did they happen?
battles were short and over in a couple of hours, normally happened in the summer months
what were the rules of battle?
-not generally protracted campaigns
-no pursuits, ambushes, or seiges
-little distruction of property
-few casualities (5% winning 10-15% losing side)
what did training and fighting in a unit inforce?
-same community, kin, friends
-comradeship
-commanders fighting alongside evryone else
-pride in belonging to and defending the polis
-sense of equality
what was expected of fighters in return?
-more civic honour and political participation
what does the hoplite class become?
a new social class- middle class (largest dominant group)
who provided the armour for the hoplite?
each warrior had to provide their own armour however only some could afford it
when was there light infantry?
-in classical period
-in the archaic period
in the light infantry of the archaic period, what was used for armour?
animal skinds and leather
