L.O. To know the armour and weaponary of Greek soldiers.

L.O. To think about how we find evidence from the past.

Why did they need an army and a navy?

Look at the map and discuss with your partner:Why do you think the Ancient Greeks needed an army and a navy? Remember to explain your reasons!

Greek pottery

Did you know?Painted vases like these would have been used for all sorts of things! Storing wine and food (these were called amphora), used for drawing water (hydria), drinking wine or water (kantharos) andso on.

Greek potteryVases showed all types of images, but they especially liked seeing pictures of soldiers fighting and ships.

Look carefully at this vase here

What does it show?

What information does it tell us about soldiers from that time?

Greek potteryHow about this one:

What does it show?

What information does it tell us about ships from that time?

Greek soldiersThis a picture of what a Greek soldier may have looked like.

This infantry soldier (foot soldier) is called a Hoplite.They wore a tunic, a helmet, sometimes with a plume (feathers) and a breastplate (known as a Cuirass).On their legs they wore guards called Greaves, and sandals on their feet.Their weapons were a spear and shield.

Discuss with you partner:

How do you think we know what soldiers wore? Where is the evidence?

Greek warshipsThe Greek warships were called triremes

They were powered by a number of rows of oars.

Triremes had three levels to them, and despite being big, they were surprisingly quick as well.

The Greek triremes were the fastest boats at the time (500 BC)

Discuss with you partner:

How do you think these boats might have attacked enemy boats?

The BarbariansThe barbarians were people who did not have a city state or country to fight for.They had no clear leader, but were interested in taking land and money for themselves (like the Vikings later in history).This picture shows what one might have looked like.They sometimes carried small daggers, and some of them would have carried larger clubs.

Discuss with you partner:What are the differences between the barbarian and the Greek warrior? Which side had the better armour and weapons? Why?

Activity:

Using tracing paper, trace the picture of the Greek warrior and stick carefully in your books.

Then label him, showing the different parts of his armour and weaponary.

Extension Activity:Write a short paragraph about how we know what weapons and armour the Greek soldiers had, and how it differed compared to the barbarians.