Greek Warfare

Review Early People of the Aegean Early People of the Aegean On the island of Crete, the Minoans built a brilliant civilization based on trade. Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the Aegean world from 1400 B.C. to 1200 B.C., absorbed Minoan, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian influences, which were passed on to later Greeks. The Mycenaeans are best remembered for their part in the Trojan War, which they fought with Troy, a city in present-day Turkey. The Greek poet Homer is our chief source of information about the Trojan War in his story the Iliad. Separated from each other by rugged mountains, the early Greeks built many small city-states or Polis.

S E C T I O N 2 The Rise of Greek City-States The Rise of Greek City-States Two influential city-states developed different ways of life and dominate Greek society and History: Sparta became a military state with a rigid system of rule. Athens set up a limited democracy and encouraged the exploration of many areas of knowledge. Chapter 5, Section 2

Early Government Styles Monarchy – King Rules Aristocracy – Small wealthy group - Nobles or Upper Class rule Oligarchy - Select Small Group rule – Warriors, Philosophers, Merchants, etc.

Greek Warriors = Hoplites -Backbone of Greek Society and Government

Greek Armor - the SHIELD Shield = HOPLON Defining piece of equipment - Greek warriors = HOPLITES Hoplites = middle-class freemen farmers paid for and took care of their own hoplon, armor, weapons expensive - like a modern car

Hoplon 3 foot Greek Shield

The Shield - The HOPLON Heavy & large concave or bowl shaped Wooden core with bronze facing and leather backing About 3 feet across & about 18 lbs. Held with arm-band & hand grip Rested on left shoulder

Hoplite Athenian Spartan

Greek Armor Hoplite ’ s armor = PANOPLY Shield, helmet, breastplate, greaves, sword, spear, tunic Weighed about 70 lbs. Typical Greek soldier lbs. Expensive

Greek Armor = PANOPLY The SPEAR Principle offensive weapon 8-9 feet long, held overhand Iron or steel head - often broke upon impact Bronze butt-spike

Greek Armor = PANOPLY The Sword Iron blade with bronze fittings - about 2 feet long Cutting, Slashing & thrusting A Last resort weapon, for “up-close” work Heavy curved blade for slashing= kopis

Helmet and Sword

Greek Armor Bronze helmets - heavy, uncomfortable Worn back on the head when not fighting Bronze chest armor = cuirass Bronze shin guards = greaves

Greek Warfare - the Hoplites

The PHALANX - Hoplite Warfare

Phalanx -Disciplined Rows of Spearman

Naval Warfare Naval warship = TRIREME -long & narrow, fast - like a spear -3 rows of rowers - hence TRI-REME

Naval Warfare - Front of ship - iron ram -basic idea - ram and immobilize enemy ship

Naval Warfare