Composition/Tactics of the Spartan 300

[greycat]

Composition of the Spartan 300

Whatever the hypothetical composition of the archaic Spartan army, the number of 300 men appear in classical Greek records, this being the number of the Sacred Band of Thebes (378-338 BC), the Spartans at Thermopylae (480 BC) and the number on each side of the 'Battle of the Champions' (546 BC) fought between Argos and Sparta.

Unit composition

pentekostys ("fifty") platoon

A 'sworn band' (enomotia) consisting of 25 men was the smallest division and is hypothesized to originally have been composed of 23 hoplites, a 'tail leader' (ouragos) [green shield] and lead by an an enomotarch [black shield]. The enomotiai were coupled into 'fifties' (pentekostyes) and were commanded by a pentekonter [yellow shield].

The war band (lochos) of 100 men was the basic unit of a phalanx and consisted of two pentekostyes or platoons and was commanded by a by a lochagos. The battalion (mora) of 300 men consisted of three lochoi and was commanded by a 'war ruler/leader' (polemarch). The first mora the hippeis was composed of 300 hoplites who were the elite of the Spartan army. The mora was the largest hoplite formation used by the Spartan army.

We know that by the time of Xenophon (c. 431-355 BC) that the enomotia had been increased to 36 men, the pentekostys to 72, the lochos to 144 and the mora to(*)576. The entire Spartan army consisted of 6 morae (3456 men) and was led by one of two Spartan kings.

enomotia (36 men)

enomotarch [black shield]

(*) Attached to each mora was a cavalry unit also a called a mora. (probably 60 men)

stages of combat:

(1) Ephodos: The hoplites stop singing their paeanes (battle hymns) and move towards the enemy, gradually picking up pace and momentum. In the instants before impact war cries would be made.

(2) Krousis: The opposing phalanxes meet each other almost simultaneously along their front. The promachoe (the front-liners) had to be physically and psychologically fit to sustain and survive the clash.
(3) Doratismos: Repeated, rapid spear thrusts in order to disrupt the enemy formation.
NOTE: Some modern scholars believe that the Krousis stage 3 and Othismos stage 4 are not seperate stages but happen together during combat. See post # 4 and 5.
(4) Othismos: Literally "pushing" after the most spears have broken, the hoplites begin to push with their large shields and use their secondary weapon, the sword. This could be the longest phase.
(5) Pararrhexis: "Breaching" the opposing phalanx, the enemy formation shatters and the battle ends.

Sources:

Greece and Rome At War (Peter Connolly)

http://books.google.com/books/about/Greece_and_Rome_at_War.html?id=yDujuAAACAAJ

Archaic & Classical Greek Warfare

http://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/jarvela/files/Lesson%208-Archaic%20&%20Classical%20Greek%20Warfare.pdf

Ancient Greek Phalanx Combat

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CD4QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.uncw.edu%2Fkozloffm%2Fgreekphalanx.doc&ei=BxqtUuPgAY_soATKuYKIBQ&usg=AFQjCNHL60mVGvsAnJaw_zMGumz7vfEQWA&sig2=uZQwk_xIHjJ_0qK-RjRQQw

Edited January 1, 2014 by greycat

[greycat]

This is kind of a work in progress since I keep learning new things. If you notice any errors, especially with the Greek words, please notify me. Thanks.

[greycat]

also I should note that these writings are based on Peter Connolly's writings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Connolly

Edited December 15, 2013 by greycat

[greycat]

Some modern scholars believe that the Krousis stage 3 and Othismos stage 4 are not seperate stages but happen together during combat.

The Othismos, Myths and Heresies: The Nature of Hoplite Battle

http://www.xlegio.ru/pdfs/othismos.pdf

Edited December 16, 2013 by greycat

[greycat]

I outlined some key points from book from previous post.

"The unique Spartan military organization, with its large numbers of different ranks of officers, permitted far more control over the progress of the phalanx than was possible in most armies."

"There is no evidence that the hoplites of other Greek states were drilled to march in step."

"There is no good evidence to suggest that in most states outside Sparta each hoplite was assigned a fixed place in a certain rank and file within the phalanx, or occupied a set distance of frontage. We have no idea how the phalanx was arranged at the lowest level, but can only assume that family, friends and neighbors took position alongside each other."

"The slow, steady Spartan advance was all the more intimidating because most of their opponents were incapable of copying it."

"The 'shoving of shields' was a part of hand-to-hand combat, not an alternative to it. It was a method requiring great aggression, a way of barging into an enemy phalanx in an effort to begin its collapse. It was also a dangerous method, as the attacking hoplite risked losing his own balance. The ranks behind the first were not involved in this. There were no separatephases of fighting and shoving. The only way to break a phalanx was for hoplites to fight their way into it."

"It is very difficult, even for well-drilled soldiers marching across a flat parade ground, to move in a perfectly straight line for a distance of several hundred yards. Since each man takes his dressing from those on either side, the entire unit will tend to conform to a shift in direction by one individual. The spacings between each man may also fluctuate. In most military parades you will see the soldiers halt to dress ranks at some point."

Edited December 16, 2013 by greycat