Ancient Greek
This section covers the armies of the ancient Greeks in the classical period from the wars against Persia in the 5th century BC to the death of Alexander the Great. It was during this period that the state played an increasingly important role in military organisation with a consequent uniformity in dress and equipment.
The start of the period was dominated by the Hoplite. An often armoured spearman with a large round bronze shield. The masters of hoplite warfare were the Spartans fighting in disciplined lines. Lighter troops were provided by psiloi and peltasts of which the Thracians provided the most famous examples. Early Greek cavalry came from the plains of Thessaly and Athens also had substantial mounted forces.
The Peloponnesian War was the titanic struggle of the period fought between Athens and Sparta for hegemony of Greece with their often shifting allies in the other Greek states. Spartan victory did not last following defeat in the Corinthian War and was ended by Thebes at the battle of Leuctra in 371. The end of the city state came with the rising power of Macedon and its pike armed phalanx and heavy cavalry.
The editor's Ancient Greek wargame army is in 25mm scale. Figures come from several ranges although the Wargames Foundry range is probably the best.
The start of the period was dominated by the Hoplite. An often armoured spearman with a large round bronze shield. The masters of hoplite warfare were the Spartans fighting in disciplined lines. Lighter troops were provided by psiloi and peltasts of which the Thracians provided the most famous examples. Early Greek cavalry came from the plains of Thessaly and Athens also had substantial mounted forces.
The Peloponnesian War was the titanic struggle of the period fought between Athens and Sparta for hegemony of Greece with their often shifting allies in the other Greek states. Spartan victory did not last following defeat in the Corinthian War and was ended by Thebes at the battle of Leuctra in 371. The end of the city state came with the rising power of Macedon and its pike armed phalanx and heavy cavalry.
The editor's Ancient Greek wargame army is in 25mm scale. Figures come from several ranges although the Wargames Foundry range is probably the best.
