Which statement best describes athensʼs military?

Which statement best describes Athens’ʼs military?

Introduction

Athens, the cradle of democracy, was a military powerhouse in ancient Greece, with a history of success on the battlefield that has fascinated historians and scholars for centuries. From the city-state’s earliest days, military strength was a major concern, with the Persians, the Spartans, and other rival states seeking to expand their empire and threaten Athenian supremacy. In this article, we will examine the three main statements that describe the Athenian military and consider which one best fits its character.

Statement One: The Athenian Army was primarily made up of Citizen-Soldiers.

True or False?

True, in the sense that, as a city-state of approximately 30,000 citizens, Athens relied primarily on its citizens to mobilize its army. Men of military age (18 to 50 years old) were expected to serve on behalf of their city in times of war. Only wealthy citizens who owned real estate, known as "stratiotai," were exempt from conscription. The rest served in the infantry, primarily fighting as hoplite warriors.

Organization

• Phrourarchies: Citizens were organized into Phrourarchies (units of 8 to 10 men).
• Tribes: The phrourarchies were grouped within their respective tribes (Piraeus, Paralus, etc.).
• Battalions: These tribal units coalesced to form line regiments.

Fighting Style

• Hoplite: Athenians were known for their formidable phalanx formation (Hoplite); shield-bearing warriors stood together in a tight formation with spears extended.
• Tactics: Adaptable and flexible strategies, often using terrain advantages to outmaneuver foes.

Statement Two: The Athenian navy was the backbone of Athenian military power.

True or False?

True, emphasizing the crucial role of maritime dominance in Athens’ conflicts. The Athenian Navy, comprising an impressive 180 triremes (fast, maneuverable warships) at the peak of its power during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), was instrumental in securing Athenian control over the Aegean Sea and crushing enemies at sea.

Structure

• The Nine Symplokapoi: Senior officers governing naval operations.
• Navarchs: Commanding ships and units.
• Rowers: Scantily clothed mercenaries from the empire’s islands, paid a modest obelos (money) for their services.
• Warships (Triremes) and Galleys ( slower, often captained by Athenians) formed the fleet

Statement Three: Athenian military prowess was highly influenced by their alliances.

True or False?

True; Athens frequently formed strategically valuable alliances, which supplemented its military strength and widened its reach. The powerful Delian League, joined in 478 BCE against the Persians, is an example. This and subsequent alliances, such as the Second Athenian Alliance, enabled Athens to deploy combined forces and share its burdens.

Key ALLIANCES

• Delian League (478 – 454 BCE)

  • Conquering Ionia: Athens became a dominant force in Aegean coastal regions by partnering with Ionian towns against the Persians
  • Battle of Salamis: An allied victory (480 BCE) thwarted the Peloponnesian assault and saved Athens from Periclean occupation
  • Imperial Period (454 – 411 BCE): Athens established the First Athenian Navy and secured dominance over Asia Minor

Conclusion:

While each statement encompasses an essential aspect of Athenian military might, which statement best describes Athens’s military? We argue in favor of Statement Three: Athenian military prowess was highly influenced by their alliances.

Athenian military resilience owed much to its innovative naval strategy, the synergy created by its alliances and naval dominance. The convergence of these factors allowed Athenians to flexibly switch between land and sea superiority, ultimately safeguarding and expanding their city-state over time.

By examining its three main statements, we see Athens’ militaries as adaptable, skillfully employing the strengths in each of these areas in tandem to create a power dynamic that propelled the emergence of the most influential City-State in ancient Greece: Athens!

Table 1: Athens’ Military Structure

Table 2: Key Athenian Battles