March 29, 2013

I started research today on Wars of Ancient Greece. 5th century B.C. Greece was marked by conflict between Greek city-states and Persian invasion. The Peloponnesian War was fought between the Athenian empire and Peloponnesian league lead by the Spartans from 431 - 404 B.C. The First Persian War began with the Persian invasion of Greece in 492 B.C. and ended with a decisive Athenian victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. Greek warfare was dominated by the “hoplite” -- the classical Greek infantryman armed with a spear (doru) and shield (aspis). Hoplites would form ranks, lock shields, and project spears out through the first ranks as they advanced. This “phalanx” formation made a frontal assault by the enemy nearly impossible.