Ancient Greek Military StructureAncient Greek Military Structure HoplitesHoplites

– Heavily armed foot Heavily armed foot soldiers (infantry)soldiers (infantry)

– Were equipped with…Were equipped with… A round shieldA round shield A short swordA short sword A 9 foot thrusting spearA 9 foot thrusting spear

The PhalanxThe Phalanx The primary formation of the military was the The primary formation of the military was the

phalanx.phalanx.– Rectangular (boxed) shapeRectangular (boxed) shape– Made a wall of spears and shields. Made a wall of spears and shields.

Effectiveness depended on how well the men could Effectiveness depended on how well the men could stay in formation and hold their ground.stay in formation and hold their ground.

However, it However, it was…was…– Very slow Very slow

movingmoving– Vulnerable in Vulnerable in

the sides and the sides and rearrear

– Tough to Tough to maneuver and maneuver and retreatretreat

The PhalanxThe Phalanx Each phalanx would march into battle, breaking Each phalanx would march into battle, breaking

into a run when they neared each other.into a run when they neared each other. Both sides would collide viciously, breaking Both sides would collide viciously, breaking

many of the spears of the front row.many of the spears of the front row. Men in the front needed to be brave and men in Men in the front needed to be brave and men in

the rear needed to push forward.the rear needed to push forward.– Turned into a pushing match.Turned into a pushing match.– Often, the phalanx would retreat out of fear before Often, the phalanx would retreat out of fear before

even attacking!even attacking!

SpartaSparta

The End of the Dark AgesThe End of the Dark Ages

It’s the end of the Greek Dark Ages… It’s the end of the Greek Dark Ages… Populations are rebounding and you need Populations are rebounding and you need more resources for your people. What do more resources for your people. What do you do if you are located in Sparta? you do if you are located in Sparta? Athens? Why? How is your decision Athens? Why? How is your decision impacted by geography?impacted by geography?

Spartan SocietySpartan Society A military state.A military state. Conquered territories and Conquered territories and

enslaved their people.enslaved their people.– HelotsHelots – Spartan slaves, Greek – Spartan slaves, Greek

for “capture”for “capture” Men spent childhood Men spent childhood

learning military discipline.learning military discipline.– Lived in barracks until 30 years Lived in barracks until 30 years

old.old.– Stayed in army until 60 years Stayed in army until 60 years

old.old. Women were to remain fit in Women were to remain fit in

order to bear healthy order to bear healthy children.children.

What would life be like growing up as a Spartan?

Spartan SocietySpartan Society Foreigners were discouraged from visiting.Foreigners were discouraged from visiting. Spartans were not allowed to travel.Spartans were not allowed to travel.

– Unless for war.Unless for war.

Spartans were not allowed to study Spartans were not allowed to study philosophy, literature, or the arts.philosophy, literature, or the arts.

Why?They might encounter new ideas

that challenged the Spartan military culture and government.

Spartan War PoetrySpartan War Poetry

““It is beautiful when a brave man of the front ranksIt is beautiful when a brave man of the front ranksfalls and dies battling for his homeland…falls and dies battling for his homeland…Young men, fight shield to shield and never succumbYoung men, fight shield to shield and never succumbto panic or miserable flight,to panic or miserable flight,But steel the heart in your chests withBut steel the heart in your chests withmagnificence and courage.magnificence and courage.Forget your own lifeForget your own lifeWhen you grapple with the enemy.”When you grapple with the enemy.”

-Tyrtaeus-Tyrtaeus

Two Kings

Five Ephors

Council of Elders

The Assembly

Spartan Government StructureSpartan Government Structure

Led the Spartan army into battle

The two kings, plus 28 other men over the age of 60

Decided on issues that would be presented to…

Made up of male citizensDid not debate; only voted on issues

Elected each year

Responsible for education of youth and conduct of all citizens

Oligarchy

Government by the few

Spartan SocietySpartan Society

“Come back with your shield or on it.”

Spartan Mothers:

With your shield – returned a hero

On your shield – returned a fallen hero

Without your shield – a coward