The Soldiers in Ancient Greek (Essay Sample)

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Soldiers in Ancient Greek
Ancient Greece was made up of several autonomous city-states as opposed to the modern day single state (BBC). According to Blackwell, “the city of Athens lived under a radically democratic government from 508 until 322 BCE” (1). The composition of the Ancient Greek society was diverse, with the adult male citizens being the dominant and driving forces of the economy since they were entitled to full rights of property ownership, voting, and occupying a public office (Cartwright). The role of women, children, slaves, immigrants, and laborers was well defined with minimal social interaction with the native male citizens. However, in times of war, class differences were set aside, and army residents joined forces to defeat enemy troops. The purpose of this dramaturgical research paper is to establish the social, economic, and political environment in which the Ancient Greek soldiers operated. The paper is divided into various subsections that will deal with the identified issues in detail.
The Role of Soldiers in Ancient Greek
The neighboring poleis were never in peace with each other and often engaged in deadly armed struggle. For instance, “Sparta and Athens fought a long war, called the Peloponnesian War, from 431 to 404BC” (BBC). The only exception was when the Greeks faced external aggression from well-equipped foreign forces, and they put their differences aside and united on the battlefield. The Persians posed the greatest threat to the existence of the Ancient Greek empire when they unsuccessfully attempted to conquer it between 490 to 449BC (BBC). However, the Greeks under the military command of Alexander the Great waged war against the Persians in the 330s BC, making Persia a Greece colony after it was defeated (BBC). Therefore, the Ancient Greeks were warlike, who relished the opportunity to exert their authority through military dominance.
Soldiers played a critical role in the well-being of the Ancient Greek civilization. Greek soldiers did not shy away from physical confrontation with their neighbors or external enemies. However, they were willing to engage in warfare since it was considered an essential vice to ensure lasting peace in society (Newsela 1). According to Newsela, “Whether it be small frontier skirmishes between neighboring city-states, lengthy city-sieges, civil wars or large-scale battles between multi-alliance blocks on land and sea, the vast rewards of war were thought to outweigh the costs in material and lives” (1). Greek soldiers were determined to conquer and colonize new territories either for war booty or revenge mission, which frequently jeopardized the peace they occasionally enjoyed at home (Newsela 1). Women were never admitted into the military, but only native Athenian men were allowed to participate in any armed conflict (Hafez 135). The above evidence shows that the Ancient Greeks were committed to defending their territorial integrity with their own lives if necessary.
Lendon gives an account of the Ancient Greek military strategy as follows, “they built long citadels, the eldest of the Greeks, and they built them low and strong, not thrusting into the sky but clinging to the rocks, with walls of great stones piled up and cisterns dug deep” (15). They detached the wheels of their chariots in time of peace and stored them in magazines ready to be assembled and rode in numbers in wartime. The Greek soldiers were highly trained and psychologically prepared to meet and match any internal or external threats. Military groups were assembled within the shortest of notice in case the territory was facing any danger. Moreover, the Ancient Greek soldiers possessed sophisticated weapons that set them apart from an opposing military. Greek soldiers had bronze swords, spears, shields, bows, and war chariots (Lendon 15). These weapons enabled them to win the majority of the battles they engaged in, especially with foreign troops. The Ancient Greek soldiers were determined and industrious, two characteristics that enabled them to gather the needed strength and courage to defend their fellow citizens.
The Social Status of the Hoplites
The Persian military dominance prompted the emergence of strong and united poleis such as Athens and Sparta during the period of Greek wars (Hafez 135). The wars lasted from the beginning of the 5th BC, when the Greeks achieved victory over Persians who were challenging their independence and autonomy, until 323 BC, occasioned by the death of Alexander the Great (Hafez 135). The war was costly since it lasted for a long time, and the Greeks bore its blunt and the accompanying consequences such as loss of lives and material property. However, the circumstances surrounding the warfare gave birth to a strong and well-organized military to counter enemy attacks. Moreover, due to the high stakes involved in warfare, the political class agreed that the state needed to take responsibility for training, financing, and purchasing equipment for the Greek army. The result was that the military acquired better and superior weaponry, and the fighters could concentrate on the battle without worrying about supplies.
The Athenian constitution outlined that the state had the responsibility of training and arming all the young men aged 18 to 20 years, popularly known as ephebes, to become hoplites (Hafez 135). The ephebes, who successfully completed their training, were handed a hoplite shield and spear. The emergence of the hoplites was aggravated by the need to have a professional military since Ancient Greek did not possess any trained unit in its initial years (Newsela 1). The responsibility to protect the city-states was left in the hands of private citizens who were required to purchase their own weapons. City militias, who mainly were part-time soldiers, formed armed groups headed by warrior chiefs, with all the citizens encouraged to join the army (Newsela 1). The consequence was that citizens were relieved of the burden to purchase military equipment to join the hoplite service. All the Athenian adults were eligible to enter and serve their country as hoplites, notwithstanding their social class or wealth (Hafez 135). The actions of the state, coupled with the ephebian reforms of 336 BC, led to the creation of the hoplite democracy (Hafez 135). The hoplites were organized in distinct contingents by 5th BC and received support from their lightly armored and auxiliary counterparts who acted as a layer of protection on the flanks and skirmishers (Hafez 136). The hoplites were the elite squad who were tasked with the central role of protecting the state against external attacks. The hoplites’ endeavors and bravery in warfare earned them a prestigious position in society since they were ranked right below the ruling class (Hafez 136). The evidence shows that the hoplites rightfully earned their status in Ancient Greek society.
Hoplites Troops and Weaponry
The hoplites were the nucleus of the Ancient Greek military prowess. The Ancient Greek hoplites were patriotic to their city-states since they were ready and willing to fight and die for their political communities (Crowley 1). The typical weapons of the hoplites were a bronze shield, a short sword, and a long spear. Additionally, their protection gear was made of a bronze breastplate, a bronze helmet, ankle guards, and leg greaves (Newsela 2). The soldiers engaged in deadly close-quarter battles that involved a lot of bloodshed and severe injuries. Since the hoplites wore heavy protection gear and carried heavy weapons, their mobility was greatly hindered, which became advantageous to the lightly armored peltast warriors who could move with ease (Newsela 2). Furthermore, the dominance of the hoplites on the battlefield was further challenged by other armies that carried lighter weapons such as a short javelin, given that they were extremely mobile and dangerous. The disadvantage of wearing heavy protection gear forced the hoplites to adopt lighter armory that included leather suits to enable them to move with ease. One of the tactics of the war involved archers, javelin throwers, as well as stone and lead bullet slingers who were skilled in the art of hit and run (Newsela 2). However, the hoplites adapted their strategies and continued to dominate on the battlefield.