Classical Studies 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Phalanx, Mardonius, Hoplite
31 Jan 2019
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The Rise of the Polis
- In the 8th Century BCE, Greece expierenced a renaissance. The period between 750 BCE
and 478 BCE is known as the Archaic Period of Greece.
- The ancient Greek version of the “City-state” is called the Polis.
- Citizens called Poliatai lived in the urban center (Astu) and the countryside (chora).
- Polis was typically Aristocratic. A number of wealthy families shared power
- Executive power held by magistrates
- Oligarchs maintained there power
- Between 12-20 percent of the population held the land and the power.
Hoplite Warfare
- Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed
with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers utilized the phalanx formation in order to be
effective in war with fewer soldiers.
- Citizens had to buy their own armor
Xerxes
- Not eager to attack Greece
- The evil general Mardonius
- 480 BCE: Xerxes and his force cross into Greece
- To get to the mainland, they bridge the Hellispont by latching together ships (known as
Pontoons)
Document Summary
In the 8th century bce, greece expierenced a renaissance. The period between 750 bce and 478 bce is known as the archaic period of greece. The ancient greek version of the city-state is called the polis. Citizens called poliatai lived in the urban center (astu) and the countryside (chora). Between 12-20 percent of the population held the land and the power. Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of ancient greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers utilized the phalanx formation in order to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. Citizens had to buy their own armor. 480 bce: xerxes and his force cross into greece. To get to the mainland, they bridge the hellispont by latching together ships (known as.
