The Infantry
The Greek infantry man was known as a hoplite. While most hoplites were citizens and had jobs, the Spartan hoplites only job was to be a soldier. A hoplites’ armor weighed 50 pounds and it was made out of bronze. There typically was a breastplate, helmet and graves. They carried a round shield known as a hoplon, that was made from wood and coated in bronze. The hoplon was one meter in diameter and would be supported on the shoulder of the hoplite and protect him from chin to knees. The hoplon weighed around 20 to 30 pounds. The main weapon of the hoplite was the doru, or spear. The doru was between seven and nine feet long, and held in one hand while the other held the shield. The tip of the doru was a curved leaf shape and the butt of it a spike known as a “lizard crusher.” The butt end was used as a weapon if the spear was snapped in half. If the doru was used underarm, the thrusts would have been under control but less powerful. If the thrusts were over arm, they would be more powerful but less under control. The secondary weapon of the hoplite was a short sward called a xiphos. The hoplites would use this as their last resort if their spear broke or if the phalanx broke ranks. If the enemies retreated the hoplites would drop their shields and spears and chase after them, with their xiphos. Hoplites did not use bows and arrows because they thought it to be cowardly.
The key to the hoplites success was the phalanx. The phalanx was a Greek rectangular military formation. The hoplites would get in close formation so each hoplites’ shield protected the person to their right. The first few rows of hoplites would project their spears over the top of the first row of soldiers. That meant that more than one row of soldiers could be active at once. Phalanxes would also have pushing matches, where the whole formation would push against the enemy trying to break their ranks. A typical phalanx was eight men across and sixteen men deep. The most dangerous spot was on the far right of the phalanx because you were not protected by your neighbors shield. The phalanx required a lot of trust and teamwork. You had to put the individual aside and work for the team, which Spartans excelled at. Even though this went against human nature of self preservation, the Spartans were more afraid of the law then dying.
The Battle
The Battle of Thermopylae occurred in August of 480 B.C. The Persians were trying to advance onto central Greece via the Thermopylae pass, the only road known to them. Leonidas and his Spartans tried to hold the pass long enough so Xerxes would be forced to leave for more food and supplies. But, Xerxes was not going to let a couple Spartans stand in his way of taking over the world. Plus, he had over two million soldiers with him, what did he have to fear, but a couple thousand Greeks. Xerxes built a bridge across Hellespont, which was made up of over 700 galleys and triremes, to cross into Greece. Leonidas picked 300 of his best soldiers, all with sons to carry on their family name, to meet Xerxes at Thermopylae. Along the way he was joined by 4,500 or so other Greek soldiers.
On the first day of the battle the Spartans did very well. The experienced Spartans would go forward and trick the Persian army into many traps. It is said the Xerxes leapt to his feet three times that day thinking his army was defeated. The next day was more of the same except the different Greek troops took turns defending the pass, giving the Spartans a break. Then Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks be telling Xerxes about the Anopaia path. Logically that night Xerxes sent a group of soldiers to attack the Greeks from behind. Luckily, Leonidas had sent a small amount of Greeks to defend the path; the Persians killed most of them though. When Leonidas was warned about the advancing Persians he sent all the Greeks away, except for the Spartans, Thespians, and Thebans. On the third day the Spartans moved forward into the widest part of the pass. Leonidas knew they were all going to die so he wanted to kill as many Persians as possible. Once Leonidas was killed the Greeks did everything they could to protect the body. After rushing the Greeks four times, the Persians finally controlled Leonidas’ body. After that the Persians from the Anopaia path descended on the remaining Greeks from the rear, they were surrounded. The Persians managed to kill all 300 Spartans and a thousand Greeks, while over 20,000 Persians were killed by the Greeks.
Links:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Ancient-Sparta---The-True-History-of-Leonidas-and-Thermopylae&id=1520920
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