Notice: This is the official website of the All Empires History Community (Reg. 10 Feb 2002)

  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

cape Mycale 479bc Troop armament

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
dman View Drop Down
Immortal Guard
Immortal Guard


Joined: 29-Aug-2004
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1
  Quote dman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: cape Mycale 479bc Troop armament
    Posted: 17-Sep-2004 at 19:02
I am trying to find out how the Greek forces at the
Battle of Cape Mycale (479bc) were armed. The sources
state the Athenians (who composed most of the Greek
forces) lacked regular infantry (hoplites) as they were
serving in the land army (Cape Mycale supposedly
occured at the same time as Platea). Were they armed
and equipped as Psiloi or as light infantry with javelins
and swords. We know that the top bench of rowers
in the triremes were supposed to hurl javelins at
opposing ships - just how effective one can throw a
javelin while sitting on a bench behind a wooden
bulwark is up to conjecture. Would they carry light
shields of wicker or leather as did the Persians? What
about personal weapons such as daggers or swords?
Land based psiloi recruited from the poorest class
(herders and such) frequently were only armed with
javelins and sometimes only with rocks picked up
from the ground! Any information is appreciated
Back to Top
Yiannis View Drop Down
Sultan
Sultan
Avatar

Joined: 03-Aug-2004
Location: Neutral Zone
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2329
  Quote Yiannis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-Sep-2004 at 04:52

Battle of Mycale from http://www.encyclopedia4u.com/b/battle-of-mycale.html:

In the spring of 479 BC various Ionian cities began the process of revolting against their Persian rulers. This did not go well at all, and soon they were forced to turn to the Greek mainland for help. A meeting was called in Athens, and ambassadors from several Ionian cities, Athens and Sparta met in the early summer. The meeting did not impress the commander of the Persian forces in Thessaly, Mardonius, so he sent terms to Athens demanding that they stay neutral. When they refused the Spartan delegation started for home to prepare for war. Meanwhile Mardonius' forces soon reached Athens, but the citizens had already retreated to nearby Salamis. Thinking the Athenians are ready to surrender, Mardonius again sent them terms, and was again refused.

While the Spartans prepared for war, eventually mustering a force of 5,000 and another 35,000 allies, a delegation from Samos arrived in Sparta asking for help. The Greek fleet of 110 ships set sail from Delos under the command of Leotychides, a Spartan.

The Battle

Hearing of the Greek's approach, the Persians in Samos decide to face them on land. They sailed to the nearly peninsula of Mycale just to the east of the city, and formed a wall out of a number of their ships, dragging the rest onto the beach. When the Greek fleet arrived and found Samos empty, they started a pursuit thinking the Persans were running from battle. The Greeks soon came upon the Persians, already formed up in battle lines on shore. Leotychides yelled to the Ionians in the persian camp:

"Men of Ionia - ye who can hear me speak - do ye take heed to what I say; for the Persians will not understand a word that I utter. When we join battle with them, before aught else, remember Freedom - and next, recollect our watchword, which is Hebe. If there be any who hear me not, let those who hear report my words to the others." (Herod. 9.98)

Realizing generally what was going on, the Persians disarmed the Samians and sent their ememies, the Milesians, to guard the roads to the rear. Meanwhile the Greeks unloaded their ships and formed up for combat. As usual the Spartans occupied the right wing, placing the Athenians on the left. The Athenians, walking along the beach, found a herald's scepter and thought that it is a divine sign, signifying that the other Greeks had been victorious on the mainland. They then charged forward to the attack alone, and after a short battle the Persians, led by Artantes, were forced to retreat to the fort they had constructed further inland. The Athenians chased them and captured the fort as well. The Persian survivors fled, only to find that the Milesian rear-guard had turned against them as well, and few survived to eventually reach Sardis.

When the Spartans arrived the Persian camp was looted and their beached ships destroyed. Returning to Samos they then discussed their next moves. The Spartans proposed the evacuate the cities of the Ionian Greeks and bring the population to the Greek mainland, as they did not consider it worth their trouble to defend the Ionians everytime they were attacked. The Athenians, however, objected to losing their colonies, and accepted the Ionian Greeks in a league against Persia.

 

Some notes:

Psiloi were either Peltasts, or Archers, or Slingers or Hamippoi.

Peltasts were carrying a light, usually wicker shield in the shape of a half moon called "Pelte". They were javelin throwers.

Archers carried a similar kind of shield. Sometimes no shield at all.

Slingers would throw rocks or lead balls. Usually no shield.

Hamippoi were light infantry that fought along with cavalry. Similar arms as the Peltasts.

All of the above carried swords as part of their equipment.

In the triremes there were standard 10 Hoplites as marines plus a few officers. There could be some more if the marine crew was unexperienced in sea battled and they wanted to "beef up" their defence. I'm not aware of oarsmen throwing spears! Perhaps if the two ships would be entangled and immobilized they would also help (they were free citizens not slaves).

 

 



Edited by Yiannis
The basis of a democratic state is liberty. Aristotle, Politics

Those that can give up essential liberty to obtain a temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
Back to Top
Lannes View Drop Down
Baron
Baron
Avatar
Retired AE Moderator

Joined: 02-Aug-2004
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 439
  Quote Lannes Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-Sep-2004 at 09:17

Problem with that is that it really doesn't tell how the Athenians would've been armed. 

Looking through Herodotus's Book 9-Calliope, I couldn't find much on it myself.

τρέφεται δέ, ὤ Σώκρατης, ψυχὴ τίνι;
Back to Top
Yiannis View Drop Down
Sultan
Sultan
Avatar

Joined: 03-Aug-2004
Location: Neutral Zone
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2329
  Quote Yiannis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-Sep-2004 at 09:29
Originally posted by Lannes

Problem with that is that it really doesn't tell how the Athenians would've been armed. 

The Athenian Hoplites like that: . The rest with whatever they could grasp

It wasn't a real land battle between foot soldiers. It was more of a mess...

But you're right. We can't find any sources that give us details so we must deduct this information from previous experience.



Edited by Yiannis
The basis of a democratic state is liberty. Aristotle, Politics

Those that can give up essential liberty to obtain a temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.56a [Free Express Edition]
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz

This page was generated in 0.063 seconds.