1. The Ancient Greek Soldier
And His Fighting Techniques

2. Bronze Age Combat Mycenaean to early Archaic: 1700 - 700 BCE
Heavy armour was very expensive so only wealthy aristocrats could afford it
A time period of one-on-one fighting, little overall organization and possible single battles of army champions (such as The Battle of Achilles and Hector)

3. The Hoplite
BCE
A new style of warfare that depended on unified movement of large number of soldiers
Heavily armed, but not just aristocrats in heavy armor. Any citizen who could afford the armour could stand shoulder to shoulder with the aristocrats
The importance of this new type of soldier / battle style was one factor that led to the general public demanding more political power (which later became democracy)

4. Cuirass (Breast Plate)
Protection and intimidation
Muscle design actually occurred
Corinthian Helmet
Xiphos (Short Sword)
Secondary Weapon
Double-edged
Shaped like a leaf
Used for cutting and slashing (up close)
Spear (Primary Weapon)
Stabbing and thrusting, not throwing
A javelin was a smaller spear Hoplites would throw
Hoplon (Shield)
Specific to phalanx formation
Round and three-feet wide
Where the name “Hoplite” comes from
Greaves (Shin and Knee Protection

5. The Phalanx
Like an early version of the tank

6. How The Phalanx Worked There were three components:
Heavy armour (full body protection)
Large round shield held on LEFT arm (This shield would protect half of the man on the soldier's left)
Trained movement in complete unison.

7. How The Phalanx Worked
Line up shoulder to shoulder, packed into rows in which each rank is almost treading on the heals of the one in front of it
This formation was usually eight rows deep with your best soldiers in the first two-three rows
The two battling sides would advance at each other at a fast walk
When they came close, the front would raise their spears and start stabbing at unprotected areas with overhead thrusts
Meanwhile, the ranks behind literally shoved against those in front using their strength and weight to break the enemy's ranks
Key to success depended on every man holding his place in formation

9. Conditions of a Hoplite Battle
AWFUL!
Heavy and Hot
Blood splattered everywhere!
Men trampled underfoot.
Positive Notes:
Battles were brief; usually less than an hour.
Campaigns were short usually a single battle ended the fighting for the summer.
Sides would then bury their dead and go home to their normal job (crafter, potter etc.)
Relatively light casualties as well usually about a 15% loss of life.
Once enemy broke ranks and fled not much pursuit
Total massacres of a defeated army were rare