04-21-2006, 09:00 PM
Hi folks. Allow me to introduce myself. I am currently a high school student in Canada who is taking the world civilizations course (European civilizations only). I am very interested in history, espcially military side of the history aspect. I have read the Art of War and other military works since I was small and I never lost the interest. (Mainly graphic novels but I do get the message). To me, military is what history is about.
We are currently studying the Greeks civilizations with the Roman empire following shortly. For one of our assignments we are doing an oral presentation with a group of 3 on the similaries and differences between Athens and Sparta. I immediately choose the military category + social structure. I was given the Sparta military and I am given 2 minutes to present all the important points of the Spartan military (and possibility contrast it with the Athen military. I am not doing Athen military but I know it is composed of mainly triremes rather than hoplites)
Since I was given only a 2 minutes frame to present, I was able to finish my research quickly and have pretty much what i have to say written down. I am wondering if I could show it here and all the experts here could point out what I missed. Here is is a rough guide of what I am going to say on the presentation.
Unlike other Greek city states, Sparta is a forced military society. The helots (conquered slaves) outnumbered the Spartan citizens 10 to 1. In order to survive, Spartans had to take arm or perish. Spartans believed that if they could mobilize all the potential hoplites and train them to the highest degree possible, they could have an overwhelming advantage against her enemies. By 7th century BC, a pure military society has formed in Sparta. Sparta's military service is rather long. Boys are prepared for military since infancy. At 18, they are officially in the military. They are only allowed to retire at the age of 60.
The main backbone of the Spartan military are the hoplites, which means men at arms. The hoplites are a type of heavily armored infantry that carried bronze shield, chestplate, helmet, spear, and a short sword. The hoplites formed into a famous formation called the phalanx. This phalanx formation is basically a formation that give your enemy a wall of shields and spears. The phalanx is 8 ranks deep but only the first 4 ranks fight in the initial assault. Spartan helmets also limited their vision and hearing. They can't turn very easily so they are forced to always push forward in battle.
Sucess of the Spartan military depends on the close cohesion of the units. The units that keep their ranks, not outflanked and did not break usually win the battle. Unless the military in the Homer age, individual bravo is not encouraged.
I think that is about two minutes. I would welcome any suggestions that you all have and I would thank you very much if you could make any. Thanks for reading this thread.
I really need to keep the presentation to the required time frame. On my last presentation I gave a very detaild look at the Phoenician triremes but took much time so I lost alot of marks.
We are currently studying the Greeks civilizations with the Roman empire following shortly. For one of our assignments we are doing an oral presentation with a group of 3 on the similaries and differences between Athens and Sparta. I immediately choose the military category + social structure. I was given the Sparta military and I am given 2 minutes to present all the important points of the Spartan military (and possibility contrast it with the Athen military. I am not doing Athen military but I know it is composed of mainly triremes rather than hoplites)
Since I was given only a 2 minutes frame to present, I was able to finish my research quickly and have pretty much what i have to say written down. I am wondering if I could show it here and all the experts here could point out what I missed. Here is is a rough guide of what I am going to say on the presentation.
Unlike other Greek city states, Sparta is a forced military society. The helots (conquered slaves) outnumbered the Spartan citizens 10 to 1. In order to survive, Spartans had to take arm or perish. Spartans believed that if they could mobilize all the potential hoplites and train them to the highest degree possible, they could have an overwhelming advantage against her enemies. By 7th century BC, a pure military society has formed in Sparta. Sparta's military service is rather long. Boys are prepared for military since infancy. At 18, they are officially in the military. They are only allowed to retire at the age of 60.
The main backbone of the Spartan military are the hoplites, which means men at arms. The hoplites are a type of heavily armored infantry that carried bronze shield, chestplate, helmet, spear, and a short sword. The hoplites formed into a famous formation called the phalanx. This phalanx formation is basically a formation that give your enemy a wall of shields and spears. The phalanx is 8 ranks deep but only the first 4 ranks fight in the initial assault. Spartan helmets also limited their vision and hearing. They can't turn very easily so they are forced to always push forward in battle.
Sucess of the Spartan military depends on the close cohesion of the units. The units that keep their ranks, not outflanked and did not break usually win the battle. Unless the military in the Homer age, individual bravo is not encouraged.
I think that is about two minutes. I would welcome any suggestions that you all have and I would thank you very much if you could make any. Thanks for reading this thread.
I really need to keep the presentation to the required time frame. On my last presentation I gave a very detaild look at the Phoenician triremes but took much time so I lost alot of marks.
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Peter Li
History student
Peter Li
History student