hoplites

Military History
133

The Peloponnesian War

In the first part of our special, Paul Rahe examines the background to the struggle between Athens and Sparta for control of the ancient Greek world.

Left A figurine depicting a hoplite poised for assault, formerly part of a bronze vessel from c.510 500 BC, found in north western Greece. Hoplites were traditionally only deployed in the expectation of imminent hand to hand fighting.

Military History
133

The Peloponnesian War: the Battle of Mantineia

In the second part of our special feature, Paul Rahe reveals how Sparta won the largest land battle fought within Greece during the Peloponnesian War.

Military History
120

Combat of Champions

Ashley and Stephen Cooper take a close and critical look at the hallowed idea of war by personal combat.

The Persian Army: ABOVE Central Asia was the home of the horse archer, and Xerxes’s army is likely to have included large contingents. Above right Archers were numerous in Persian armies, most of them fighting on foot without armour so much so that they became, for the Greeks, representative of the Persian enemy in general, as on this fine red figure vase painting. Right The Immortals were the elite shock infantry of Ancient Persian armies. This depiction is from a relief sculpture on the walls of the royal city of Persepolis. Far right Persian armies were strong in cavalry, including heavy shock cava lry, but these were of little value on such a constricted battlefield as Thermopylae.

Military History
89

Last stand: Thermopylae

Continuing his occasional series on legendary last stands, American military historian Fred Chiaventone recounts the Spartan defence of the Hot Gates in 480 BC.