Ancient Greek Warfare From the Mycenaeans to the Polis The rapid progress experienced by the Ancient Greek in a relatively short period of time was reflected by the multitude of domains that started to flourish in the region. The appearance of city-states led to people being able to concentrate on improving warfare strategies as well as weapons. Even with this, Greek development in warfare started to see particular interest in earlier times. To a certain degree, it would be safe to say that the Ancient Greek during the Mycenaean period were focused on the concept of war as a channel for their development. The fact that primary sources are scarce means that discussions concerning warfare in Ancient Greece is debatable and that it can be especially difficult to avoid making statements that are going to be challenged.

Mycenae as a birthplace of civilized warfare

In order to be able to gain a more complex understanding of the Ancient Greek in the context of warfare, one would have to first consider the technological advances in the domain during the Mycenaean period. Mycenae was the location where the mythological king Agamemnon lived and was largely a tool to fuel Greek military ideas. The Mycenae saw the benefits associated with controlling large areas of land both from a military and from an economic point-of-view.

The people of Mycenae were particularly supportive of warfare and this is visible when looking at the way that they built their cities. Most of these were fortified and created with the purpose to guarantee that their inhabitants were safe from potential attacks. "Their cities were surrounded by thick walls and their art showed images of war and hunting." (Social Studies School Services 93) The Mycenaeans used their military experience in conquering a series of notable regions, including the Island of Crete.

It would be safe to say that modern warfare in Greece commenced along with the appearance of the Mycenaean civilization. The second millennium B.C. marked a series of developments when considering military strategies and tools. These enabled the Mycenaeans to have a significant advantage in front of their enemies. "From roughly 1600 to 1250 B.C. palaces at Mycenae, Pylos, Tiryins, Thebes, and elsewhere fielded well-equipped forces that put a high premium on the use of the horse, chariot, and bow." (Wilson 727) Most information concerning Mycenae advances in military concepts are owed to linear B tablets, pottery, jewelry, and a multitude of remains from citadels responsible for protecting the people of Mycenae (Wilson 727).

Although it was especially successful and it enabled Mycenae to see fast progress, the military advancements experienced in the era were not enough to cement the position of the region's people. Most establishments had been destroyed by 1200 BC and the number of people was no longer increasing as it did before. This, in turn, led to another period in Greek military history -- the Dark Ages. Military leaders still used horses, but they were mainly accompanied by foot soldiers in small numbers. This period saw the previously advanced Mycenaeans engage in unorganized military skirmishes that had little to no success (Wilson 727).

III. Mythology as a tool to record history a. Homer's epic accounts

Most people are likely to consider epic accounts written in Ancient Greece as being nothing more than inventions. However, many of these actually had a historical basis and they can provide a complex picture of military conditions in Ancient Greece. When considering Homer's Illiad, one can draw a great deal of information concerning the way that the Ancient Greek engaged in warfare. The fact that the epic account presents historical fiction makes it possible for one to get a more complex understanding about the setting in Greece during the second and first millennia BC.

Achilles as a young Greek military leader stands as a perfect example regarding military conditions during the era. In spite of his determination to assist his allies, he was reluctant to join war efforts as a consequence of having a divergence with the commander of the Greek forces. The moment when his best friend, Patroclus, is killed, Achilles directs his attention solely toward the killer -- Hector. These ideas contribute to the general concept of military leaders at the time belonging to the upper classes and often being fueled by their personal interests rather than the common purpose of their community. "In military terms, the story of Achilles' anger means that phase of the Trojan war in which the Greek army, deprived of its full complement, was...

What is interesting about this epic account is the fact that although it presents Greece during a time of peace it nonetheless presents a series of ideas relating to warfare and the effects that it can have on a society. The principal difference between Homer's two accounts is the fact that the former shows organized violence while the latter shows disorganized conflict.
b. Political setting in Homer's Illiad

Agamemnon's divergence with Achilles is one of the main ideas in the story and it is essential when considering Greek attitudes regarding warfare, especially when considering military leaders and the strategies they employed. The epic account shows how the military leader was an individual that focused on honor as much as he concentrated on jurisdiction.

The idea of human rights was completely foreign in Ancient Greece and people had a very limited understanding of why it would be in society's interest for them to care about others. This community was based on slavery and most individuals considered that it had been perfectly normal for them to persecute slaves. Even with this, Homer's epic accounts show that this respective community was more intricate when it came to people's rights. Individuals considered that a balance of power was the key to a successful society and thus promoted a series of ideas that one can link to contemporary democracy. In the case of Agammemnon and Achilles, the former acknowledged the fact that he needed resources in order to be able to conduct warfare and thus believed that he needed to convince Achilles to contribute while the latter was helpless when it came to particular commands he received from his military leader. Both individuals were powerful, but they both needed each-other's support in order to be successful.

IV. Arms and Armor in Ancient Greece

According to Homer, the general material used for weapons was bronze, as it had been more accessible in comparison to other metals and as it was also appreciated as a result of its rigidness. Furthermore, iron was not discovered in Greece at the time and warriors thus had no information regarding its usefulness. Homer mentions the metal in certain writings, but generally refrains from discussing its strength -- most of his accounts relating to iron discuss it in relation to spearheads. "Methods of producing iron were presumably still primitive and it appears to be valued as a substitute for bronze rather than as an improvement upon that particular material." (Warry)

The Mycenaeans acknowledged the significance of attack as well as the importance of defense. A Greek hero would wear a helmet made out of bronze and it sometimes was accompanied by a horse-hair plume, thus adding to the dramatic effect. In addition to being purposed to intimidating enemies, helmets were also very effective in protecting their users' heads. In many cases swords would apparently be shattered as a consequence of encountering strong helmets (Warry).

One of the most impressive pieces of armament in the Mycenaean community was a shield of oxhide on a wooden frame that protected the body. This respective military tool had become outdated by 1450 BC, as Mycenaeans started to use bronze to cover their wooden shields, thus making the armor even more effective (Sacks & Murray 258). Shields were typically long, as they were meant to cover the whole body from enemy attacks. "Ajax' shield is also described as being like a tower; he was a man of enormous stature, who both needed and could manage such a shield." (Warry)

Swords in Ancient Greece were generally used to cut rather than to trust and they also had two wedges for this purpose. Spears seem to have been more common, especially when taking into account Homeric stories (Warry). In contrast to spears, swords required the warriors to be very close, as it was only by doing this that they were able to perform an effective blow. "The sword is a weapon specifically designed to be man-killing, with the additional effect of showing off the prowess, bravery and ferocity of the user." (Rawlings 23) The presence of the sword in the Mycenaean society thus influences one to consider the fact that it was also used as a channel to express the community's military culture. In order to be able to kill a man with a sword, a warrior would have had to risk a great deal. As a consequence, the respective person demonstrated his…