Land tactics Military tactics in Ancient Greece

1 land tactics

1.1 hoplites
1.2 phalanx
1.3 melee
1.4 ambuscade

land tactics
hoplites

soldiers of greek army called hoplites. known courage , strength. stories battle of thermopylae demonstrate strength , skill greeks had in land battle. moment greeks started fighting bronze shields , in phalanx, must have regularly been drawn in rank , file , not crowded together. had specific formation in order execute of military maneuvers. athenian army typically divided ten taxeis, or tribal regiments, , subdivided lochoi. these subunits worked smaller pieces of overall picture of military power. trained thoroughly, hoplites skilled @ melee combat athenian oarsmen @ precision ramming , rowing.

phalanx

the phalanx army tactic greeks performed shields. each soldier carried shield in left arm, used protect both himself , man on left. depth of phalanx differed depending on battle , commander, width of formation considerably greater depth. example, during battle of syracuse, depth of athenian army s phalanx 8 men, while opponent, syracusan army, had depth of 16 men.

melee

melee, or hand-to-hand combat, occurred after tight formation of phalanx dispersed. fighting referred dorarismos, meaning spear-fighting because hoplites use small swords in fighting. 1 example of melee combat described herodotus during battle @ thermopylae. herodotus reports after spartans had lost spears , swords during dorarismos, continued fighting hands , teeth.

ambuscade

an uncommon tactic of ancient greek warfare, during hoplite battles, use of ambush. when light-armed forces began used, ambushing became recognized scheme. known version of tactic occurred during battle of dyme in 218 bc, when 1 side pretended retreat fighting , enticed enemy follow them ambush. tactic became known in 217 bc stratian army declined pursue akarnanians during retreat in fear face ambush.