Throughout the course of making this blog, I have learned much about the Greco-Persian War. I have found intriguing information to share with you. This information has helped me make sense of how the outcomes of these battles ended up. We can apply our knowledge of Greek tact is to modern warfare. Also, now we know that the tactic used to the greatest extent by United States forces of cover fire and fire and maneuverer traced its origins back to ancient Greece. We know how Greece used their tactics, both in naval and land battles to completely reshape the territorial boundaries of the ancient world. Lastly, we see time and time again throughout not just the Greco-Persian War, but all wars how one man can make the difference between victory and defeat.
In ancient Greece in times predating 5th century B.C.E., the military/militias of Greece’s many city states were poorly trained and ill equipped. The soldiers were mostly part time and had nothing to indicate if they were soldiers and often weapons were makeshift. But soon thereafter, Sparta had amassed a force of full time and well trained soldiers that set the standard for all other militaries in Greece to match. As other city states followed Sparta, most armed themselves with many variations of the same basic principle, long spear augmented with a short sword and a shield. Also, archers accompanied the many infantry men. This armament made possible the iconic tactic, of which is studied hours upon ended by historians, scholars, and generals alike. The tactic of having foot soldiers first bombard the enemy with multiple volleys of spears and then to fight the enemy at close quarters with their short swords along with many arrows aiding the foot soldiers. Used to devastating effect, this tactic won countless battles and was on of the defining factors in how Greece made expanded their empire to the far reaches of Asia Minor and Europe. Along with their phenomenal infantry, many city states also developed large navies. The trireme was a common warship which was extremely versatile, with the ability to transport troops to beaches for amphibious landings, block harbors, protect territories, and be a devastating battleship. The trireme being made out of wood and fitted with a bronze battering ram was extremely agile and its 170 rowers onboard could propel the ship to speeds up to nine knots. The primary tactic was for the warships to ram the enemy ships, but occasionally the archers and infantrymen onboard would board a ship. Lastly, a commander would align his ships in a long horizontal front to ensure that the enemy could not attack his ships on the stern, hence protecting them. For more information please click here. Shortly after the end of the Ionian Revolt, King Darius wanting revenge on Athens ordered an attack on mainland Greece. In 490 B.C.E., a juggernaut of 15,000 foot soldiers and cavalry amassed and were en-route to the plain of Marathon, located near Athens. Soon thereafter news had reached Miltiades, a highly respected Athenian general who convinced Athens to fight at the Marathon because of its vitality. After Miltiades was granted permission to defend the plain of Marathon, 11,000 soldiers were deployed to fend off the Persian invaders. For three days neither army attacked until Miltiades mustered his troops, ordering them to attack the Persians on three sides. Although the Athenians were outnumbered by 4,000 strong, there superior weaponry such as their long range spears and superior tactics ultimately forced the Persians to retreat.
For more information please click here. As Greece had recently undergone a revolution that changed Greece's government to be a democracy, a nomadic group called the Persians, located in modern day Iran, were expanding there empire by conquering other territories. In 546 B.C.E. the Persians led by King Darius conquered wealthy Greek settlements in Ionia and stole food, forced the Ionians to fight in the Persian military, forced taxes to be imposed on the Ionians, and employed tyrants to rule of the captured settlements. In 499 B.C.E. the Ionians revolted and requested for mainland Greece to send military aid. The request was granted by Athens who helped the rebelling Ionians in a campaign to liberate cities under Persian rule. After initial success, the Athenians relinquished their support of the rebels, hence ending the rebels first and only offensive campaign of the whole war. In 497 B.C.E. the Persians launched a counter-offensive against the rebels regaining outlying cities under rebel control. The Persian's counter-offensive was soon thwarted at the Battle of Pedasus and from 497 B.C.E.-495 B.C.E. no major advances from either side from the Persians, nor the Ionians took place. In 494 B.C.E. the Persian Army and Naval forces united and coordinated an attack on the heart of the rebellion in a city called Miletus, quickly recapturing it . After the Persians recaptured the city of Miletus, they launched a campaign to regain costal cities which were still under rebel control and in 493 B.C.E. ended the rebellion. Although the rebellion had been ended, King Darius of Persia wanted revenge on the City-States of Athens and Eretria for their support of the rebels, and in 492 B.C.E., he ordered an attack on mainland Greece, hence forcing Greece and Persia to go to war with one and other in a conflict that came to be known today as the Greco-Persian War.
For more information click here, here, or here. Hello, I am Jonathan author and editor of the Greco-Persian Wars Blog. The Greco-Persian war was a war fought between Persia and Greece, of which dictated boundaries of the two countries and possibility of one being taken over, forever just another piece of land in the others empire. Throughout my whole life I have been interested and avidly studied military history. Whether it is Egypt against the Hittites, Dark Ages, French Revolution, WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. I have studied them for hours on end. All influential wars which shaped our world today compel me to learn more and see what information lies beyond the surface. I am eager to post more and learn more about the Battle of the Marathon, Ionian Revolt, tactics, and how certain weapons and certain means of transport were put to use.
|
AuthorHello, I am Jonathan author and editor of the Greco-Persian War Blog. The Greco-Persian War was a war fought between Persia and Greece, of which dictated boundaries of the two countries and possibility of one being taken over, forever just another piece of land in the others empire. Throughout my whole life I have been interested and avidly studied military history. Whether it is Egypt against the Hittites, Dark Ages, French Revolution, WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. I have studied them for hours on end. All influential wars which shaped our world today compel me to learn more and see what information lies beyond the surface. I am eager to post more and learn more about the Battle of the Marathon, Ionian Revolt, tactics, and how certain weapons and certain means of transport were put to use. ArchivesCategories |