What Armour and Weapons Were Used



ANCIENT GREECE

Enquiry Grid 1:

What armour and weapons were used

in ancient Greece?

Spartan Life

Chapter/s and section/s used:

Persian Wars chapter – Explore section

Individual project:

Children work through the Explore section, to find out who took part in the battle of Plataia, what weapons they used and what armour they wore. They can then each complete the enquiry grid.

Class project:

Individually or in pairs, the class works through the Explore to find out about the soldiers, their weapons and armour. The class is then divided into small groups. Each group is given one of the 3 types from the grid below to focus on. They will then complete the enquiry grid for their ‘type’. They can then feed back to the rest of the class and discuss the similarities and differences between the forces on the battlefield.

Extension work:

More able children could be asked to read the War Story about the battle of Thermopylae. Using this story, the extracts from Herodotus, the objects and illustrations, they could then infer evidence to fill in the enquiry grid for this battle (they won’t be able to do the cavalry as none took part in the Battle of Thermopylae).

Background Information:

You may find the following Background Information sheets found on useful for this activity:

Warfare

Armour and Weapons

Read ALL the questions before you start. / Greek soldier / Persian Infantryman / Persian Cavalryman
What is his main weapon of attack?
What other weapons does he have?
How does he defend himself?
Does he wear body armour? If yes, give details.
What does he wear on his head? Describe it.
What do you think are the strengths of this soldier?
In what ways is this soldier vulnerable to being wounded?

Key background information

Sparta was one of the strongest city-states in Greece.

Was ruled by 2 kings at a time and a Council of 30 elders, who were all citizens over the age of 60.

In the archaic period, Sparta produced fine art and literature.

Was a military state.

Had a key role in defeating Persia.

Defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War and was then at the height of her power.

Made a treaty with Persia, the ‘King’s Peace’, in 386 BC.

Was defeated by Thebes in 371 BC, never regained supremacy.

Life for men

Spartan boys left their families at 7 to be trained to become part of the full-time professional army.

Had very strict education and training.

Boys were not well fed and punished if caught stealing food.

Boys were encouraged to fight each other but not in anger.

Cowardice was seen almost as a crime.

Spartan education put emphasis on physical fitness.

Boys were taken to the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia to be flogged to show their

toughness and endurance.

The training of males was divided into age groups and called the agôgê (upbringing):

Boys 7- 17 learned reading, writing, dancing and singing; also tough physical education

Older boys, 18-19, trained for the army and in survival techniques.

Youths, 20-29, underwent rigorous military training as part of the standing army.

Young adults, 30+, were full citizens and expected to marry.

A man had to remain in his barracks until he was 30 and if he married (could marry from the age of 20) he had to visit his wife in secrecy.

All adult men belonged to ‘messes’- small groups that met and dined together and were housed in individual ‘men’s houses’.

All citizens were hoplites.

Life for women

Women received an education and physical training.

Physical training made them fit and strong so they would have healthy babies (to become good soldiers).

Physical training probably focused on gymnastics, choral song and dance.

Xenophon says that the legendary law-giver Lycurgus thought wool-working and the related sedentary life found in other states were best left to slave women: the activity was traditionally disdained by Spartan women.

The Perioikoi

(Free, non-Spartans of Laconia and Messenia)

Had to provide military service to the Spartans

Did not have the privileges of citizenship (e.g. member of the Spartan assembly, able to be a magistrate).

Were involved with the management of trade and manufacture, as Spartans not allowed to be engaged in trade.

The Helots

(The ‘serf’ population)

Were Greeks of the area around Sparta that were defeated in war by the Spartans.

Were owned by Spartans as a whole (not by individuals).

The magistrates (ephors) declared war on them annually as constant fear of revolt.

They provided most of the agricultural produce for the rest of the population.

Those of Messenia took part in regular revolts.

–-1 –