How did the Ancient Greeks regard war?

Running head : Greek Perspective of Warfare

The Ancient Greek Perspective of Warfare : From Homer to Xenophon

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The importance of war to Ancient Greece depends on one of two determinations : whether one is discussing pre-Hellenic Greece or its place in the Hellenistic world . Pre-Hellenic Greece comprises city-states , a pseudo-democratic governing body , and land disputes over Greek land , generally among the Dorians , Ionians and other racial groups Greeks split themselves into . Later , as power solidified under great warrior kings and the Greek

perspective became nationalistic and /or Hellenistic in its scope , the spoils of war seemed limitless , especially with regard to new territory . Warfare offered an opportunity to gain fame while displaying one 's merit 's as a warrior as well as new territory and to that end new or increased resources . Finally , warfare offered the opportunity to spread and /or defend Greek culture . And as historical evidence bears out such dissemination often proved to them their sense of civilization as opposed to all the non-Greek , barbarians they encountered

War in ancient Greece was a very serious matter and almost as ritualized as the practice of religion . For instance only warriors of equal birth and skill fought in the accounts of individual fighting , which dominate Homer 's Iliad . The mannerisms employed in these battles also bear the hallmark of ritual as each warrior rode in on a chariot which they dismounted from before fighting . And fighting was done almost exclusively on foot after the warriors hurled ritual insults at one another and identified themselves . Identifying an opponent was important so as to avoid potentially violating Greek laws regarding friendship and hospitality . Such an incident occurs in Book VI of the Iliad when a Diomedes and Glaukos , a Greek and Trojan , respectively realize a connection between there families via past friendship . In acknowledgement of the friendship , they share armor , which in ancient Greece bore as much importance as the assorted paraphernalia employed by priest and priestesses in the temples of the Gods . This battle gear consisted of a helmet , cuirass , linen jerkin , bronze shoulder-pieces coat of mail , bronze greaves (leg coverings , circular or oval shield and any of the following weapons : spear , sword , club , battle-axe , bow or sling . As enemies of the Greeks came to reflect a more cosmopolitan experience ships were built to cover greater nautical distances strategy but not necessarily armor changed , becoming lighter (E . Guhl W . Koner 231-54

Nevertheless , a place in the annals of Greek history often depended on one 's exploits in times of war . This manner of thinking is reflected in Homer 's pre Hellenic work , the Iliad , dated to some point around the 8th century B .C , and one of the earliest records of classical Greek literature . Only consider Odysseus ' persuasive speech given to Achilles in Book IX when the Greek forces determine that Achilles prowess as a warrior could prove favorable to them . He urges Achilles to take pity on all our united forces mauled in battle...