Military Military AchievementsAchievements and and Leaders: Ancient GreeceLeaders: Ancient Greece

Created By:Created By:Andrew BoyceAndrew BoyceHussein RajanHussein RajanLuke SiekrisLuke Siekris

SPARTASPARTA

The Spartan PeopleThe Spartan People

• Expert warriors• At the age of 20 named fully fledged warriors• Knew only one home and family, the barracks and their unit• Girls also given rigorous training to become mothers of healthy children• Women regarded as most beautiful in all Hellas and as tough in spirit as

men• Spartan people freest in all Greece• Mother to son “Come back with your shield or on it”

Training for Spartan Soldiers

• Training started at age 7• Physical training was a must• Training was harsh but effective • Fox Time• Each soldier learned absolute and unwavering loyalty• Also learned to swim, jump, run, wrestle, box, and most importantly dance• Thought dancing helped in the movements of battle • “Spartans do not ask how many, but where”

HoplitesHoplites

• Heavily armoured infantrymenHeavily armoured infantrymen

• Wore bronze helmet, breastplate, and greaves (shin protectors)Wore bronze helmet, breastplate, and greaves (shin protectors)

• Each carried a hoplon, meaning a weapon, and a wide, heavy Each carried a hoplon, meaning a weapon, and a wide, heavy wooden shield reinforced with bronzewooden shield reinforced with bronze

• ““Hoplites” mean “man at arms”Hoplites” mean “man at arms”

• The main unit in a Greek armyThe main unit in a Greek army

• Hoplite training was based more on working in numbers than Hoplite training was based more on working in numbers than individuality individuality

• Forms phalanxForms phalanx

PhalanxPhalanx• Line up shoulder to shoulder• Held shield up with one hand and spear with other• Push spears between shields• Each rank does this• Minimum 7 ranks• Enemy sees a wall of shields and spears• Once they met enemy, the men in the back would push forward • If a man died on a spear, his body would be flung around until the battle is

over

Leonidas and Heroic Stand at Leonidas and Heroic Stand at ThermopylaeThermopylae

• A Spartan kingA Spartan king• Made a last stand at Thermopylae to give Greek cities time to prepare Made a last stand at Thermopylae to give Greek cities time to prepare

defencesdefences• Had 300 Spartans and 7000 other allies against an army 20 Had 300 Spartans and 7000 other allies against an army 20 timestimes that size that size• Chose to fight in a mountain pass so the Persians couldn’t use their Chose to fight in a mountain pass so the Persians couldn’t use their

numbersnumbers• First day, the Persian leader Xerxes sent in his regular troops who got First day, the Persian leader Xerxes sent in his regular troops who got

butcheredbutchered• Second day, Xerxes sent in his best troops, “Immortals”, but they were Second day, Xerxes sent in his best troops, “Immortals”, but they were

also beaten backalso beaten back• On the second night, Greek traitor told Xerxes of a pass to get behind On the second night, Greek traitor told Xerxes of a pass to get behind

Spartan forceSpartan force• Leonidas learned of this and sent his allies awayLeonidas learned of this and sent his allies away• Remained with his 300 Spartan bodyguardsRemained with his 300 Spartan bodyguards• Fought in a tight circle so the enemy could not break their formationFought in a tight circle so the enemy could not break their formation

• Leonidas died fighting and a fierce battle was fought over his bodyLeonidas died fighting and a fierce battle was fought over his body• Persians pushed back four timesPersians pushed back four times• Arrows finally killed last SpartansArrows finally killed last Spartans• Body of Leonidas beheaded and crucifiedBody of Leonidas beheaded and crucified• Bravery still looked back on todayBravery still looked back on today• British held pass against German advance in World War II at Thermopylae British held pass against German advance in World War II at Thermopylae

but were surrounded and overwhelmedbut were surrounded and overwhelmed

Above: Above: King LeonidasKing Leonidas

BrasidasBrasidas

• 431 B.C. Repelled an Athenian sea borne attack against 431 B.C. Repelled an Athenian sea borne attack against MethoneMethone

• 429 B.C. Elected high official429 B.C. Elected high official• 425 B.C. Helped plan out assault against Athenians at 425 B.C. Helped plan out assault against Athenians at

battle of Pylos, severely woundedbattle of Pylos, severely wounded• 424 B.C. Thwarts an Athenian attack against Megara and 424 B.C. Thwarts an Athenian attack against Megara and

due to his diplomatic and military skills, manages a due to his diplomatic and military skills, manages a successful expedition to Macedonia where he convinced successful expedition to Macedonia where he convinced them to break all allegiance to Athensthem to break all allegiance to Athens

• 422 B.C. Dies fighting at the battle of Amphipolis422 B.C. Dies fighting at the battle of Amphipolis

Amphipolis

• Brasidas shows commanding genius• Athenian commander sent a force Brasidas knew he couldn’t beat• Brasidas waited until commander told his men to head back to the base,

thinking Brasidas won’t fight him• Brasidas charges out into an unorganized Athenian army, causing heavy

casualty’s and making the army flee• The Spartans lost only 9 men, 1 of whom was Brasidas

VS

The Persian WarThe Persian War

What was the Persian War?What was the Persian War?

• The war was fought between Greece and Persia• Consisted of 11 major battles from 492 B.C.E to 449 B.C.E• The battles of Marathon and Salamis were considered to be the

most decisive ones in the history of the Persian/Greek war.• Battle of Marathon took place on September 12, 490 B.C.E • Militiades and Datis who led them to victory led the Greek army• Battle of Salamis took place in 480 B.C.E • Greek army led by Themistocles, which was another victory• Themistocles was one of the most influential leaders in Greek

history • There were 4 main Greek and Persian commanders during the time

of these battles.• There were 2 different Greeks fighting the Persians, the Ionians and

Athenians• The war ended in a signing of a peace treaty

Timeline of EventsTimeline of Events

• 500 BCE - Ionian Greek revolt within Asia Minor (this is what started the 500 BCE - Ionian Greek revolt within Asia Minor (this is what started the Persian/ Greek war) Persian/ Greek war)

• 490 BCE - Battle of Marathon (Decisive Greek victory over the Persians)490 BCE - Battle of Marathon (Decisive Greek victory over the Persians)• 481 BCE- Greek League (Greek league against Persia, with Sparta in 481 BCE- Greek League (Greek league against Persia, with Sparta in

charge of the army, and Athens, the navy.)charge of the army, and Athens, the navy.)• 480 BCE- Battle of Thermopylea (Persian victory)480 BCE- Battle of Thermopylea (Persian victory)• 479 BCE- Battle of Salamis and Plataea (Salamis was a naval victory for 479 BCE- Battle of Salamis and Plataea (Salamis was a naval victory for

the Greeks and Plataea was the battle that ended the Persian invasion)the Greeks and Plataea was the battle that ended the Persian invasion)• 479 BCE- Battle of Mycale (Another decisive victory for the Greeks)479 BCE- Battle of Mycale (Another decisive victory for the Greeks)• 477 BCE- Aristides forms Delian League (Athens, in charge of the Delian 477 BCE- Aristides forms Delian League (Athens, in charge of the Delian

League, went on the offensive to free the Ionian cities.) League, went on the offensive to free the Ionian cities.)• 466 BCE- Battle of the Eurymedon River (The last Greek victory in the 466 BCE- Battle of the Eurymedon River (The last Greek victory in the

war)war)• 449 B.C. - Peace of Callias (Persia and Athens sign peace treaty449 B.C. - Peace of Callias (Persia and Athens sign peace treaty))

Conditions that Influenced the WarConditions that Influenced the War• Many Greek colonists set out from mainland Greece, evicted by the

Dorians, and ended up in Ionia in Asia Minor• The Ionian Greeks came under the rule of the Lydians and King Croesus• In 546 BCE the Persians took over Ionia, leaving the Greeks under Persian

rule• The Ionian Greeks found the Persian rule oppressive and attempted a

revolt with the help of the mainland Greeks• Mainland Greece then came to the attention of the Persians and war

between them begun• With mainland Greece invading Ionia, now under Persian rule, created a lot

of tension and anger causing both countries to fight back

Effects of the Persian War on the Effects of the Persian War on the Greek EmpireGreek Empire

• Athenians felt that the Persian war was a defining moment in their history

• The victory of the war over Persia made Athens one of the strongest city- states in Greece

• Wealth followed with the power as Greece gathered lots of money and riches from the war

• Many states started looking towards Athens for help opposed to Sparta

• The alliances that Athens made after the victory as well as the Delian league would catapult it into immense power

• This power made Athens the cultural center of the Greek world • The Spartans grew increasingly frightened of Athenian power and

suspicious of their intentions• Although Athens had this great amount of power, it would also cause

their downfall• This would eventually lead to the Peloponnesian war

ThemistoclesThemistocles

• Born in 524 BCE and died in 460 BCEBorn in 524 BCE and died in 460 BCE• He was the son of NeoclesHe was the son of Neocles• Athenian general and statesmanAthenian general and statesman• One of the Greeks best military commandersOne of the Greeks best military commanders• Commanded the Athenian fleet at the battle of SalamisCommanded the Athenian fleet at the battle of Salamis• Convinced the Athenians to strengthen and expand the Convinced the Athenians to strengthen and expand the

Greek navy, which eventually led to the victory at SalamisGreek navy, which eventually led to the victory at Salamis• The navy grew from 70 to 200 shipsThe navy grew from 70 to 200 ships• He had the harbors fortified as wellHe had the harbors fortified as well• Funding for this came from the new silver mines and the Funding for this came from the new silver mines and the

total money used came out to about sixty million dollarstotal money used came out to about sixty million dollars

• After the death of Militiades, Themistocles gained a sufficient amount of power and did great things to Greece

• He had Piraeus made into a harbor/fortress for Athens• Athens thus became the finest trade center in Greece• Themistocles was considered a hero • However with the passage of time he became less popular and resented• In 471 BCE, he was ousted and retired to Argos where Artaxerxes I, king of

Persia, welcomed him

The Battle of MarathonThe Battle of Marathon

• Took place in Marathon, GreeceTook place in Marathon, Greece• Took place on September 12, 490 BCETook place on September 12, 490 BCE• The first victory over the PersiansThe first victory over the Persians• Led by Militiades and DatisLed by Militiades and Datis• Athens army was about one third the size of the PersiansAthens army was about one third the size of the Persians• The Athenian army consisted of 10,000 Athenians and 1,000 PlataeansThe Athenian army consisted of 10,000 Athenians and 1,000 Plataeans• The Greeks managed to win by enclosing the Persians in a circleThe Greeks managed to win by enclosing the Persians in a circle• The Persians had nowhere to run and were taken out by the onslaught of The Persians had nowhere to run and were taken out by the onslaught of

GreeksGreeks• The Greeks then marched back to Athens to celebrate their victory when The Greeks then marched back to Athens to celebrate their victory when

they came across another Persian forcethey came across another Persian force• The Greeks, exhausted and hungry, managed to fight off the invading The Greeks, exhausted and hungry, managed to fight off the invading

Persian force and defend the cityPersian force and defend the city

Peloponnesian WarPeloponnesian War

Sparta Athens

VS

 

What Was The Peloponnesian War?What Was The Peloponnesian War?

• The Wars were fought between Athens and Sparta and their allies The Wars were fought between Athens and Sparta and their allies respectively.respectively.

• Athenians were lead by Pericles, but he died in the second year of Athenians were lead by Pericles, but he died in the second year of the war from the plague that killed many of Athens’s population. the war from the plague that killed many of Athens’s population.

• There were two main Peloponnesian WarThere were two main Peloponnesian War• First Peloponnesian War was from 460-445 BCE and the second First Peloponnesian War was from 460-445 BCE and the second

war was from 431-404 BCEwar was from 431-404 BCE• The first war ended with a truce. Athens would maintain their The first war ended with a truce. Athens would maintain their

empire of the sea and the Spartans would maintain their empire on empire of the sea and the Spartans would maintain their empire on land. Athenians were very strong at sea, and the Spartans were land. Athenians were very strong at sea, and the Spartans were strong on land. In the war, the Spartans out numbered the strong on land. In the war, the Spartans out numbered the Athenians 2-1.Athenians 2-1.

• In the second war, Sparta won and became the leading force in In the second war, Sparta won and became the leading force in the region. Sparta’s victory lead to the fall, and eventual end of the the region. Sparta’s victory lead to the fall, and eventual end of the great Athenian Empire.great Athenian Empire.

Timeline of EventsTimeline of Events

• 460-445 BC - First Peloponnesian War460-445 BC - First Peloponnesian War• 445-431 BC – Peace Treaty between Athens and Sparta was made. It 445-431 BC – Peace Treaty between Athens and Sparta was made. It

dissolved after 14 years, even though it was supposed to last 30 dissolved after 14 years, even though it was supposed to last 30 years.years.

• 431 BC- Second Peloponnesian War begins. This was the main and 431 BC- Second Peloponnesian War begins. This was the main and most significant of the two wars because it lead to the collapse of most significant of the two wars because it lead to the collapse of Athens and might of Sparta.Athens and might of Sparta.

• 430 BC- Plague in Athens which claims the life of Pericles (he died a 430 BC- Plague in Athens which claims the life of Pericles (he died a year later in 429 BC), the leader of the Athenians in the first two year later in 429 BC), the leader of the Athenians in the first two years of the war. After he died, he was succeeded by Nicias.years of the war. After he died, he was succeeded by Nicias.

• 421 BC- the Peace treaty of Nicias was signed. This was treaty was 421 BC- the Peace treaty of Nicias was signed. This was treaty was signed because the sides thought they could wear each other down signed because the sides thought they could wear each other down but since they couldn’t, they decided a treaty would be better and but since they couldn’t, they decided a treaty would be better and Sparta could keep the land it conquered and Athens could keep its Sparta could keep the land it conquered and Athens could keep its allies and continental territories. Alcibiades was Nicias’ enemy in allies and continental territories. Alcibiades was Nicias’ enemy in parliament and he convinced the Athenians to keep fighting.parliament and he convinced the Athenians to keep fighting.

• 415-413 BC- The Athenian expedition to Syracuse, where they 415-413 BC- The Athenian expedition to Syracuse, where they lost badly. After this, the Athenian Army was slowly crumbling lost badly. After this, the Athenian Army was slowly crumbling because they lost a lot of their harbour and naval fleets. because they lost a lot of their harbour and naval fleets. Spartans took advantage of the Athenian weaknesses and Spartans took advantage of the Athenian weaknesses and attacked.attacked.

• 404 BC- Athens finally surrendered which marked the end of the 404 BC- Athens finally surrendered which marked the end of the great Empire of Athens.great Empire of Athens.

Conditions That Influenced Conditions That Influenced The WarThe War

• Spartans were getting suspicious and fearful of Athens’s economic power Spartans were getting suspicious and fearful of Athens’s economic power and wealth and were not happy with the thirty year peace that was agreed and wealth and were not happy with the thirty year peace that was agreed to between them and Athensto between them and Athens

• Several Greek states formed a Delian league in 478 BC in order to create Several Greek states formed a Delian league in 478 BC in order to create and fund a strong navy with could be used against the Persians. Over the and fund a strong navy with could be used against the Persians. Over the years, Athens converted the Delian league into an Athenian Empire and years, Athens converted the Delian league into an Athenian Empire and used the navy as their own. This increase in the Athenian military used the navy as their own. This increase in the Athenian military challenged the Spartans, as they were the sole military strength in Greece challenged the Spartans, as they were the sole military strength in Greece until then.until then.

• Athens placed economic sanctions against Megara, an ally of Sparta.Athens placed economic sanctions against Megara, an ally of Sparta.• The Athenians had become power hungry and very arrogant and were The Athenians had become power hungry and very arrogant and were

ready to capture the Greek mainland which was home to Sparta’s allies ready to capture the Greek mainland which was home to Sparta’s allies and was their “turf” and was their “turf”

• The growing hostility turned into a war when there was a insignificant The growing hostility turned into a war when there was a insignificant event in the distant part of the Greek mainland which finally triggered the event in the distant part of the Greek mainland which finally triggered the Peloponnesian WarPeloponnesian War

Effects of The WarEffects of The War

• The Athenians slowly lost power and strength after the battle at Syracuse The Athenians slowly lost power and strength after the battle at Syracuse in 415 BC, and by 404 BC, the Athenian Empire had collapsedin 415 BC, and by 404 BC, the Athenian Empire had collapsed

• Spartans were the new strength and they restored democracy in 403 BCSpartans were the new strength and they restored democracy in 403 BC • The main effect of the War was the collapse of Athens but the The main effect of the War was the collapse of Athens but the

reinstatement of Democracy under the Spartan rule.reinstatement of Democracy under the Spartan rule.

AlcibiadesAlcibiades• Alcibiades was one of the most powerful and influential leaders of Alcibiades was one of the most powerful and influential leaders of

the Peloponnesian war.the Peloponnesian war.• He was born in Athens in 450 BCHe was born in Athens in 450 BC• He was a close relative of Pericles and after his death from the He was a close relative of Pericles and after his death from the

Plague, Alcibiades succeeded Pericles and ruled under the same Plague, Alcibiades succeeded Pericles and ruled under the same principles and as Periclesprinciples and as Pericles

• He lead the Athenians in to battle at Syracuse, but had to leave He lead the Athenians in to battle at Syracuse, but had to leave because he had to stand trail for an act of vandalism.because he had to stand trail for an act of vandalism.

• Ironic because he fled to Sparta when he was convicted for Ironic because he fled to Sparta when he was convicted for vandalism but disagreed with the King and moved back to Athens vandalism but disagreed with the King and moved back to Athens where he became a generalwhere he became a general

• his constant failure with the army and his losses for Athens in his constant failure with the army and his losses for Athens in battles lead to his dismissal from the Army and his move back to battles lead to his dismissal from the Army and his move back to Sparta for refuge.Sparta for refuge.

• He was killed when exiting his burning home by a shower of arrows He was killed when exiting his burning home by a shower of arrows by the Spartan Armyby the Spartan Army

The Battle of SyracuseThe Battle of Syracuse   

• Took place in Syracuse, near Sicily in the fall of 415 BC.Took place in Syracuse, near Sicily in the fall of 415 BC.

• The goal of the Athenians was to expand the Athenian empire and The goal of the Athenians was to expand the Athenian empire and deprive Sparta of a supply source by taking over Syracuse.deprive Sparta of a supply source by taking over Syracuse.

• Athenians laid a siege on Syracuse and built a wall around themAthenians laid a siege on Syracuse and built a wall around them

• Syracuse was about to surrender and give Athens their land when Syracuse was about to surrender and give Athens their land when Spartans arrived with 2,000 men and counter attacked the Spartans arrived with 2,000 men and counter attacked the Athenian armies.Athenian armies.

• In the spring of 413 BC, the Athenians had lost their ships and In the spring of 413 BC, the Athenians had lost their ships and tried to flee, but were forced to surrender tried to flee, but were forced to surrender

• Both Nicias and Demosthenes (the Athenian leaders of the battle), Both Nicias and Demosthenes (the Athenian leaders of the battle), were executed were executed

• This was the beginning of the fall of AthensThis was the beginning of the fall of Athens

Bibliography

• Roberts, Timothy R. Ancient Civilizations. New York: Michael Friedman Publishing Group, 1997.

BOOKS

Bibliography

• Largent, Kimberly J. Leaders and Battle Database. 2005. 6 Nov. 2005 <http://www.lbdb.com/TMDisplayLeader.cfm?PID=5399&WID=55>.

• Racial Nationalist Library. Leonidas the Spartan.. 6 Nov. 2005 <http://library.flawlesslogic.com/leonidas.htm>.

• TMP TM. "Spartan Organization?" Topic. 15 Aug. 2005. 6 Nov. 2005 <http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=50922>.

• Wikipedia Encyclopedia. The Peloponnesian War. 04 Nov. 2005. 04 Nov. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnesian_war>.

• Gill, N S. Peloponnesian War. 2005. 3 Nov. 2005 <http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/peloponnesianwar/a/timepelopwar.htm>.

• Gormley, Larry. Leaders and Battles of the Peloponnesian War. 2005. 3 Nov. 2005 <http://www.lbdb.com/TMDisplayWar.cfm?WID=55>.

Internet Sites

QUESTIONS

Who fought in the Peloponnesian War?

Athens and Sparta

What was Sparta’s strength?

Their army

Who was the main leader of the Greeks in the Persian war?

Themistocles

What started the Persian war?

Ionian Greeks revolted against Persian rule

What was the purpose of the last stand at Thermopylea?

To give Greek cities time to prepare defences. Do you think the last stand worked? Why?

Your Mission

• You are King Leonidas, you have decided to make a last stand against the invading Persians to give the Greek cities time to prepare the defences. Using “soldiers” provided, You will have 5 minutes to figure out the best strategy to defend the given area with the troops provided. After we review everyone's strategy, we will tell you whose was the best and why.

• REMEMBER: The Persian Armies attack in two waves. So be prepared for a double attack. They also have the use of Archers so be prepared for attack from the air.

•You have 5 minutes starting….NOW