Ancient Greek Armies: Archaic & Classical Warfare

The Greek Army in the Archaic Age

According to the poet Homer, in his book The Iliad, war in archaic times was conceived more as a battle between heroes than a confrontation between soldiers of two armies. Heroic fighters never used the bow and arrow because their combat style exalted physical contact and close-quarters infighting. During this period, armies were necessarily small because only a minority of the population, those who were citizens, could afford the necessary clothing and weapons. Armies would not exceed 100 fighters, and conflicts were typically resolved with minor skirmishes or limited impact.

The Greek Army in the Classical Period

In the late Archaic era, the Greek army experienced significant changes in soldier numbers and combat tactics. However, notable differences existed between Athens and Sparta.

Athens

The soldiers were called hoplites. Their armament was significantly cheaper than in the Archaic era, making it accessible to many more citizens. After age 18, any male citizen received training in weapons handling. From age 20, they could be called upon for the defense of the Athenian polis or face consequences for not complying with its laws. Athens eventually fielded 13,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry.

Hoplite equipment typically consisted of:

• A circular shield (hoplon)
• A helmet
• A cuirass (chest and back armor, tied at the sides)
• Greaves (shin guards)

As offensive weapons, they carried a spear and a sword. Their combat formation was the phalanx, a dense front line against the enemy army.

Sparta

Spartan society was far more militarized. Boys began rigorous physical training at a very young age, developing their strength through games and exercises. From ages 16 to 20, they received rigorous training and iron discipline, which forged them into some of the finest soldiers in Greece. They were distinguished by their long hair and red tunics. It was considered a dishonor to survive a battle in which most of one's comrades had fallen, and many took their own lives rather than face such shame. Their main limitation was that their army never became very large, rarely exceeding 5,000 soldiers in the Classical period.