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Ancient Wars
The Ancient period is generally accepted as being 600 BCE to 500 CE, before which was the Archaic period, and after which began the Medieval period. However as there is not an Archaic Wars category, it is acceptable to post pre-500 BCE military questions in this area.
1,657 Questions
Why was King Darius of Perisaa threat to greek freedom?
He attempted to incorporate the city-states of mainland Greece into his empire to put an end to their endless fighting which spilt over to his empire.
He failed and the Greek city-states retained their freedom to continue their fratricidal warfare and disruption, culminating in the Peloponnesian War which for 27 years devastated the Greek world from Sicily to Asia Minor.
Persia then tried again to impose the 'King's Peace' which reduced these wars until Philip II of Macedonia imposed his own form of peace on them, and diverted their warmongering towards the Persian Empire, led by his son Alexander the Great.
It wasn't. Some of the most advanced culture developed in the Greek cities located within the Persian Empire.
What did the Athens form to prevent another Persian invasion?
The Athenians formed the Delian League.
One can say that Hawaii in the nineteenth century was a microcosm?
one can say that Hawaii in the nineteenth century was a microcosm?
What were the results of the first Battle of Granicus River?
The Macedonians under Alexander defeated a provincial Persian army, allowing Alexander to continue his advance into the heart of the Persian Empire.
How did the Athenian empire fall?
Athens became involved in what has become known as the Peloponnesian War in 431 BCE against Sparta and its allies. It expected, by withdrawing its populace inside its walls, to be able to withstand a seige indefinitely, as its 'long walls' connected the city to its fortified port, Piraeos, and so it could be resupplied. From the port also could its vastly superior navy continue to operate - to collect tribute to pay for food and the navy, and also to raid the Spartan league lands. It looked a good deal. However Athens over-reached itself in trying to conquer Syracuse to give it dominance over the resources of Sicily, which ended up with total loss of the army and navy sent there. Then the Persians intervened, giving Sparta the money to build up a league navy able to match Athens'. The Spartan league eventually destroyed the Athenian navy, invested the city and after Athens surrendered in 404 BCE because it could not import food, stripped it of what remained of its empire. In the process of this 27 year war, the Hellenic world suffered great damage. And it did not end strife and result in a settlement either, as different alignments of city-states continued to fight each other for several decades. This allowed the King of Persia to intervene again in Greek affairs - this time not as an invader but as an imposer of peace.
What early advantage did the Persian Empire have over the Greeks in weaponry?
The Persian Empire had an advanced military system. In their early conflicts with the Greeks, the Persians had developed a powerful bow that could shoot arrows over several hundred yards with great efficiency.
Are Battle of Zama and Camp Zama related?
As the Battle of Zama was 202 BCE, and Camp Zama is in Japan now, it has to be tenuous.
When was Pericles elected war general?
He was elected war general (as an unofficial leader) in the year 460 BC He was elected war general (as an unofficial leader) in the year 460 BC
Who was the first to organize a siege train?
Seige engines were used before historical times. As fortifications improved, starving out cities up to the 5th Century BCE was lengthy and costly, so emphasis switched ot shortening this with organised seige engines. The Spartans in their seige of Messenia in the 460s BCE had to call in the Athenians to help.
So there was no 'first'. Looking for firsts, biggests, longests etc is a hazardous occupation, as somoe will always be able to trump you.
A well known innovator was was Dinysios I (Tyrant of Syracuse); Demetrius was given the nickname 'Beseiger'.
Where was Brindisium in Ancient Rome?
It was not in Rome, which was a city. Brindisium was a port in eastern peninsular Italy which was a departure point for the east.
Why did Athens win the Battle of Marathon?
Yes, they won. But they only won because they had Sparta's army help them.
Well men in the past were usually the wariors, but if you think about it in the U.S women now a days are aloud to go to war. So they also could be considered wariors too.
Which Greek writer fought in a war and gave a firsthand account of what happened?
Thucydides was a general for a short part of the Peloponnesian War and recorded a history of the first two thirds of that war.
Historian Herodotos lists provincial contingents throughout the empire of over two millionavailable for callout in the provinces of the empire.
For expeditionary forces, only the best cavalry and infantry were selected.
The invasion of Greece in 480 BCE probably amounted to three corps each of 10,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry - a total of 150,000 infantry and 30,000 cavalry.
The fleet was probably 600 warships comprised of contingents supplied from Phoenician, Asian-Greek cities and Egypt, each ship with 200 rowers and marines aboard, and a similar number of cargo vessels to supply food for fleet and army. There would also have been a substantial number of camp followers.
King of Epirus, he searched for a role in history in the 3rd Century BCE, taking up the cause of the Greek city of Tarentum against Rome, beating Rome in two battles, then trying his luck in Sicily and planning something in North Africa.
His limited troop resources defeated him, and he ended up interfering in southern Greece, where he was killed at Argos by an old woman who hit him with a roof tile. Not exactly a comedy of errors, but things just didn't go right for him.
A story: He was drinking with his friends when planning the Tarentum foray into Italy. One asked 'What will we do when we beat Rome?' He replied 'We can come home, take our liesure and have parties like this'. His friend responder 'Why don't we stay here and have the parties without the nasty bit?'
Another story: His victories over Rome cost him badly, losing most of his close friends and decimating his army. When congratulated after the second victory, he replied 'One more victory like this and I am completely undone.'
What are facts about the Battle of Thermopylae?
It was a blocking action to bring on a navel action in the nearby strait in which the Greeks hopd to destroy the Persian naval threat.
The naval battle failed so the Thermopylai pass was abandoned.
The Spartan force of 2,400 (300 armoired infantry and 2,1oo light infantry) selflessly continued to hold the pass to let their 4,000 Greek allies escape, and died.
How did they train in the battle of thermopylae?
The warriors who participated in the battle of Thermopylai were from the citizen armies of several Greek cities.
As part of being a citizen of a city, they joined the city's army when they were 18 years of age and were admitted into the ranks. They would be trained initially in basics of weapon handling by their fathers, then when admitted, in collective training by instructors appointed by the state.
Regular parades were conducted with these citizen-soldiers to practice formations and tactics.
