Naval Tactics Military tactics in Ancient Greece

1 naval tactics

1.1 battle formations
1.2 diekplous
1.3 periplous
1.4 ramming
1.5 shearing
1.6 marines , archers

naval tactics
battle formations

in open sea, greek navy sail in single file line, led commander s ship. however, @ first sight of enemy ships, greek navy turn starboard or port form line battle. battle line consisted of ships lined side side, facing enemy. abreast formation acted both offensive , defensive tactic. offensively, allowed ancient ships main weapon, ram, accessible. entire fleet alongside each other, there more rams available attack opponent. formation provided greek fleet protection shielding vulnerable parts of ships, sides , stern.

the abreast formation used in of naval battles, except during battle of naupactus. during battle, athenian navy attacked before transition battle formation. battle formation successful greek navy opponents began utilize well. in order continue being successful, greek navy had create new tactics , technology able conquer opponents.

diekplous

the diekplous ancient greek naval operation used infiltrate enemy s line-of-battle. maneuver consisted of greek ships, in line abreast, rowing through gaps between enemy s ships. after galley crossed opponent s line, greek ships turn around , attack susceptible side of opponent s vessel.

although diekplous considered 1 of effective maneuvers in naval warfare, used in 3 battles- lade, chios, , side. 1 reason why tactic became less useful enemies developed defensive tactics against it. 1 way opponents countered diekplous retreating fleet tight circle hulls of ships facing outward. defensive maneuver known hedgehog counter-formation. tight circle prevented greek navy infiltrating opponent s squadron because if navy used diekplous, galley encircled enemy , rammed. counter formation used themistocles in battle of artemisium.

periplous

another naval tactic used ancient greeks periplous. periplous consisted of greek navy sailing around enemy s line. diekplous, periplous purpose expose enemy s stern easy ramming target. example of tactic described thucydides during second battle between athenians , peloponnesian s in gulf of corinth. during engagement, single athenian galley being pursued peloponnesian ship until athenian ship circled around merchant ship , rammed peloponnesian vessel , sank her. athenian ship successful in maneuver because faster of 2 ships, key element in periplous.

ramming

the ram on trireme greek navy s successful weapon. triremes equipped large piece of timber sheathed in envelope of bronze, located in front of each ship. although each ship had ram, ship needed have skilled crew successful tactic. oarsman rowing ship needed accurately hit target, , able dislodge weapon before enemy ship sunk. usual target during attack stern, steering oars located, or side of ship rowing oars were. while ramming may have caused few casualties enemy, majority of casualties occurred later vessel began sink, forcing crew water.

shearing

during attack using ram, crew sheared enemy. shearing occurred when oars of 1 ship collided part of opposing ship. during collision, wooden paddles shatter , skew rower , men surrounding him. in addition maiming, if not killing, enemy, attacker given advantage ram opponent. opportunity occurs while attacked vessel stops rowing evaluate strength of each side of oarsman, leaving in standstill. temporarily inoperative ship becomes victim more ramming , spearing attacks.

marines , archers

marines, or epibatai secondary weapon greek navy after ram. during battles, marines responsible both attacking enemy s ship, , preventing own ship being boarded. number of marines on trireme fluctuated based on each battle. example, during peloponnesian war, there 4 archers , 10 marines on deck of vessel. however, cimon had forty marines aboard each ship during battle of eurymedon. difference in numbers between these 2 battles because commanders used marines different purposes based on circumstance of battles. if battle being fought in confined waters, there more marines on trireme. ships require more marines because constricted water prevent use of typical tactics, , increase risk of ship being boarded enemy.

archers important in naval battles. arrows of seagoing archers deadly , efficient , decrease enemy’s fighting power considerably picking off officers , men on enemy ship. arrows had effective range of 160–170 meters , inevitably produce casualty when fired. when fired ship executing diekplous or ramming blow, arrows had greater velocity.