Armies of Ancient Greece Circa 500 to 338 BC: History, Organization & Equipment

This book examines the equipment, organization and tactics of the famous hoplite heavy infantry that dominated warfare in this period with a magnificent array of 150 color photos that illustrate the arms and equipment in use.

Conflict was rife among the Greeks of the Classical period, including some of the most famous wars and battles of the whole ancient period, such as the defeat of the Persians at Marathon, the Spartans’ heroic last stand at Thermopylae, the gruelling Pelopponesian War and the epic March of the Ten Thousand. The Greek heavy infantry spearmen, or hoplites, are one of the most recognizable types of ancient warrior and their tightly-packed phalanx formation dominated the battlefield.

Covering the period from the Persian Wars to the Macedonian victory at the Battle of Chaeronea, Gabriele Esposito examines not only the hoplites but also the other troops that featured in Greek armies with growing importance as time went on, such as light infantry skirmishers and cavalry. He details their arms, armor and equipment, organization and tactics. His clear, informative text is beautifully illustrated with dozens of color photographs showing how the equipment was worn and used.