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Syracusan and Greek armies in III B.C.
#1
Hi to everybody!

I was searching infos about Greek warfare in III B.C. and in particular about Syracuse.

Actually as far as I know in the III B.C. proper hoplitism had faded, but I was arguing how were in that period actually equipped the greek armies... besides the presence of thyreophoroi equipped with the thyreos, it is correct to imagine an all-macedonian phalanx context, with sarissophoroi/pezhetairoi as main troops?
Or is possible to hypotize a subsistence of Iphicrates' hoplites corps?

As I said, my interest is mainly on greek contexts like Athens and Sparta, and moreover on Syracuse.

Thank you in advance for your time!
Gioal Canestrelli "Caturix"

- www.evropantiqva.org -
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#2
Hi, Caturix

Take a look at this images from the exhibition "Archimede" (Musei Capitolini, Roma):

- Syracusan cavalry and infantry: "boeotian" and "Melos" helmets, "linothorax", tessalian boots, "thyreos" shield, spear (3rd century BC )
http://exhibits.museogalileo.it/archimed...Pinax.html

- "Montefortino" iron helmet from "Eurialo Castle" (Syracuse, 3rd century BC )
http://exhibits.museogalileo.it/archimed...elmet.html

- Syracusan "ballista" relief (3rd century BC )
http://exhibits.museogalileo.it/archimed...apult.html

arrivederci,
Emilio
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#3
Thank you Emilio!

(p.s. are you the "Cretan Archer" that i know?)

The images are very useful! Furthermore, I was searching also if there is any literary evidence... and not only about Syracuse, but about the military composition of all the greek entities that were partially outside direct macedonian influence.

bye!
Gioal Canestrelli "Caturix"

- www.evropantiqva.org -
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#4
Syracuse also hired Celtic cavalry quite a lot. It is said they were the first to do that.
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#5
Quote:- Syracusan "ballista" relief (3rd century BC ) http://exhibits.museogalileo.it/archimed...apult.html
Does anyone know where this relief has been published? I am wondering why the exhibition-organizers think that it shows a catapult. :unsure:
posted by Duncan B Campbell
https://ninth-legion.blogspot.com/
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#6
Quote: ...I am wondering why the exhibition-organizers think that it shows a catapult. :unsure:
For more information about the "Syracusan ballista relief", please contact Professor Giovanni di Pasquale (graduate in Greek and Roman Literature, Archaeology, Ancient History and Science at University of Florence, Italy), curator of the exhibition:
http://exhibits.museogalileo.it/archimedes/index.html

@Caturix
Yes, I am :wink:

arrivederci,
emilio
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#7
About the syracusan relief that Emilio posted:

the man on the right seems to be wearing a Pilos, but it is his shield that seems really interesting:
what about the ''boss'' in the middle?
It looks like a 'Parma' shield.
Could it be that Greeks of Southern Italy might be using italic shields?
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#8
Weren't Spartans adopting the Macedonian Phalanx only under Cleomenes? (which kinda throws P.COnnoly idea about Carthaginian Pikemen out of the window, because Spartan Xanthippos would probably not teach them Macedonian way of fighting when Spartans didnt even used it at that time..)

Syracusans definitely got the Pikemen training from Pyrrhus when he was in the city, he even used Syracusians to complement his force when fighting Carthaginians.

Anyway more interesting are the Massalians.. they were farther off from Macedonian influence, surrounded by Celts.. i guess they would be mostly using infantry equipped with Thureos. Anybody has any sources on them?
Jaroslav Jakubov
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