Warfare was part of normal life for almost all ancient Greeks, and military developments often had the most profound political and social effects. This module examines literary, archaeological and visual evidence for the military, social, economic and cultural aspects of ancient Greek warfare, and focuses on changes in the modes of combat — from Homeric and hoplite warfare to the increasingly sophisticated integration of strategy and tactics and of cavalry and infantry realised by Philip II and Alexander the Great of Macedon and the successor kingdoms of the Hellenistic period.

On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the evidence for practices and perceptions of Greek warfare.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of different approaches to the study of Greek warfare.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of modern debates relevant to Greek warfare, and an ability to evaluate the evidence with reference to these debates.
• identify and interpret the main causes and consequences of military change, the role of war in Greek society, and the causes and goals of Greek warfare.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

20 lectures and 4 seminars; independent study; 1 coursework feedback tutorial

The lectures present an outline of the literary and archaeological evidence for Greek warfare, and provide a framework for the interpretation of that evidence by introducing the major approaches and debates that have shaped research into the subject. They should be thought of as a useful starting-point for further discussion and independent study. Where appropriate slides and handouts are used to illustrate the material discussed.

The seminars provide an opportunity for students to analyse and discuss key issues and topics in the module, and to get feedback on their ideas from the tutor and their peers. Handouts with material for study and suggestions for preparatory reading will be circulated prior to the seminars.

Independent study enables students to familiarise themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for major themes and lecture topics.

Coursework feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work.

• analysis of a variety of different types of historical evidence, such as literary texts and material evidence
• observation and visual analysis
• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• bibliographic and referencing skills
• contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management

The module will be assessed through a 2000-word essay (50%) and an exam consisting of one essay question and one source analysis exercise, weighted 70:30 (50%).

The essay and exam questions will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and critical understanding of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to the nature of Greek warfare and its relationship to ancient Greek society and history.

In the source analysis exercise, specific written or material sources relating to Greek warfare will be set, and students will be required to explain how they contribute to our understanding of the nature, development or impact of military activity in the ancient Greek world, deploying their knowledge of the period and interpretations of the material.

Type of assessment = CW

% Contribution = 50

Title = Coursework - essay

Duration = 
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = spring semester

Type of assessment = EXSP

% Contribution = 50

Title = Greek Warfare

Duration = 1.5 hours
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = spring semester

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

Students who fail the module will normally be expected to resit the failed component(s) in the summer resit period.

• the causes and the goals of ancient warfare
• developments in warfare and battle
• the mechanics of pitched battle
• strategy and logistics: the patterns of campaign
• naval warfare
• siege warfare
• the ethos of combatants
• war, agriculture and the economy
• war and religion
• militarism and professionalism
• society, politics and war

F. Adcock, The Greek and Macedonian Art of War (1957)

T. Bekker-Nielsen and L. Hannestad (eds.), War as a Cultural and Social Force (2001)

A. Chaniotis, War in the Hellenistic World (2005)

P. Connolly, Greece and Rome at War (1981)

H. Delbrück, History of the Art of War I: Warfare in Antiquity (1975)

T. Everson, Warfare in Greece (2004)

Y. Garlan, War in the Ancient World (1975)

‘Warfare’, Cambridge Ancient History, volume 6 (second edition, 1994) 678–692

V.D. Hanson, The Western Way of War, (1989, 2^nd. ed. 2000)

V.D. Hanson, Hoplites: The Classical Greek Battle Experience, (1991)

V.D. Hanson, The Wars of the Ancient Greeks: and their Invention of Western Military Culture (1999)

V.D. Hanson, ‘The status of ancient military history: traditional work, recent research, and on-going controversies’, The Journal of Military History 63 (1999) 379–413

D. Kagan and G.F. Viggiano (eds.), Men of Bronze: Hoplite Warfare in Ancient Greece (2013)

J. Keegan, History of Warfare (1993)

J. Keegan, The Face of Battle (1978)

J.E. Lendon, Soldiers and Ghosts: a History of Battle in Classical Antiquity (2006)

A. Powell and S. Hodkinson (eds.), Sparta and War (2006)

W. Pritchett, The Greek State at War (4 volumes, 1974–1991)

L. Rawlings, The Ancient Greeks at War (2007)

J. Rich and G. Shipley (eds.), War and Society in the Greek World (1993)

P. Sabin, H. van Wees and M. Whitby (eds.), The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare, Volume 1 (2007)

A. Snodgrass, Arms and Armour of the Greeks (1967; second edition, 1999)

W.W. Tarn, Hellenistic Military and Naval Developments (1930)

H. van Wees (ed.), War and Violence in Ancient Greece (2000)

H. van Wees, Greek Warfare: Myths and Realities (2004)

E. Wheeler, ‘Greece: Mad Hatters and March Hares’, in L.L. Brice and J.T. Roberts (eds.), Recent Directions in the Military History of the Ancient World (2011) 53–104

See the module handout for the full reading list