Unit 2a-Weapons and Warfare of The Classical-Hellenistic Era-Blackboard
Unit 2a-Weapons and Warfare of The Classical-Hellenistic Era-Blackboard
Unit 2a-Weapons and Warfare of The Classical-Hellenistic Era-Blackboard
Hellenistic Era
Alexander the
Great
https://www.greecehighdefinition.com/blog/2017/2/21/hoplit
es-greeks-at-war-full-animation
The major wars of the period
With Philip and Alexander the Great, their army conquered Persia and Egypt, and
reached India. Afterwards, a series of large scale wars among their successors
brought about Kingdoms ruled by Alexander’s generals.
The Macedonian Phalanx. Utterly successful until its disadvantages
were exploited by the Roman legions in the 2nd Century BCE
A Hoplite from Alexander's Army
Cavalry in battle and their spears (Xyston)
Elephants in battle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlbVlRLtDE0
Elephant Sword
15th–17th century
Indian
Chariots
Medusa, an all-time war
symbol
Arms and weapons of the Classical and
Hellenistic Era
• Preserved examples, in tombs or sanctuaries (dedicated after battles)
• Depictions on vases, statues, coins and monumental sculpture
• Few mentions in texts
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizati
ons/greek-art/late-classical/v/alexander-sarcophagus
HELMETS
Classical and Hellenistic
Many of
them were
dedicated to
Sanctuaries
(Olympia,
Delphoi)
either by
friends or
enemies…
Helmets
• Authors tried to group them and recognize different types, usually named
after the city that used them: Chalcidian, Corinthian, Attic, Illyrian,
Boeotian, Thracian, Pilos
• The ‘usual’ questions:
Is it made of a single or multiple pieces?
Is it covering only the scull or the whole head?
Is it covering the ears and the cheeks?
Is it globular or conical?
Does it have Crest?
Is it decorated?
• Corinthian
• Chalcidian
Chalcidian Helmet An Italo-Attic helmet
Attic Helmet
Corinthian Helmet Pilos Helmet Boeotian Helme
Thracian Helmet
The Phrygian and Cone
helmets (400-100)
• The most common Hellenistic
helmets are called Phrygian
and Cone
• The Phrygian has crest, fore
guard and cheek pieces
separate from the cap
• Known both through actual
pieces and representations
Body Armor
Bronze cuirass – Bell-shaped or Muscle
shaped
«Όπλον»
Crescent-shaped shield
• Light structure
• Known as Pelta
• The one carrying it is a Peltast
• It could also be small and circular
• Made as the large circular ones
The shields of the
Macedonian armies
• Smaller and round,
covering the body when
using the Sarissa
• All uniformly decorated
to distinguish parts of
the army
• Usually geometric
patterns
Spears and Swords
• Usually only the spear heads are
preserved
• The length and use of the spear was a
defining factor for ancient warfare
• The use of Sarissa by the Macedonians is
usually credited for their victories
• The form and length of the swords is
also another field of controversy
Machaira or Kopis
Bows and Slings
• Archers were first used during the Peloponnesian wars
• Mercenaries either from Crete or Scythia
• Slings had a larger range of fire than the bows
• Bronze bullets cast and inscribed, ie the state was responsible for
providing supplies
Artillery
• Used during the Hellenistic Period
• All the information is literary
• Military and engineer manuals describe the constructions, yet without
depictions
• Bolt-throwers and Stone-throwers
• Projectiles discovered in excavations
• Catapult was invented (or perfected) in 399 for Dionysios I of Syracuse.
• Used for offensive or defensive purposes.
• Demetrius the Besieger mounted them on a mobile tower
Catapult
Rams and
Tortoise
NAVY
Particularly developed
during the Hellenistic
Period
• All the information is
literary
• Historians describe huge
structures destined to
give massive naval
battles
• Equipped with towers,
they could carry large
numbers of soldiers,
ammunition and horses
• Triremes (ships with 3
rows of oars)