Ancient Greek Cavalry

The achievements of the Greek cavalry on the battlefield were monumental, and yet until now the heavy infantry - the hoplite - has received by far the most attention from military historians. This book traces the history of the Greek cavalry, offering a reassessment of the place of mounted troops in the warfare of Ancient Greece. Its historical sweep is broad, with coverage which extends from 1400 BC, through the Archaic period to the Classical period.

This book is the first to examine how classical Greek cavalry actually operated on the battlefield. It looks at the prime characteristics of Greek cavalry, including mobility, protection, armament, training, leadership, flexibility, and motivation. Up to now it has usually been assumed that ancient Greek cavalry was subordinated to the infantry because it was less effective in battle. This book challenges this assumption, analysing the position of Greek cavalry, and especially the Athenian arm, not only on the battlefield but in society as a whole. It concludes that, like many modern societies, Greek states produced military arms which were moulded more by social and economic influences than by purely military considerations. Classical Greek cavalry had a high combat potential, but this was reduced by the attitudes of the rest of society towards the cavalry class - the wealthiest and most aristocratic group in most states.

In this comprehensive narrative, Robert E. Gaebel challenges conventional views of cavalry operations in the Greek world. Applying both military and historical perspectives, Gaebel shows that until the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C., cavalry played a larger role than is commonly recognized. Gaebel traces the operational use of cavalry in the ancient Greek world from circa 500 to 150 B.C., the end of Greek and Macedonian independence. Emphasizing the Greek and Hellenistic periods (359322 B.C.), he provides information about the military use of horses in the eastern Mediterranean, Greek stable management and horse care, and broad battlefield goals.

*Includes pictures *Includes excerpts of ancient accounts *Includes a bibliography for further reading In virtually all fields of human endeavor, Athens in the 5th century BCE was so much at the forefront of dynamism and innovation that the products of its most brilliant minds remain not only influential but entirely relevant to this day. In the field of medicine, the great physician Hippocrates not only advanced the practical knowledge of human anatomy and caregiving but changed the entire face of the medical profession. The great philosophers of Athens, men like Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato, interrogated themselves with startling complexity about the nature of good and evil, questioned the existence of divinity, advocated intelligent design, and went so far as to argue that all life was composed of infinitesimal particles. Great architects and sculptors such as Phidias produced works of art of such breathtaking realism and startling dynamism that they later formed the driving force behind the resurgence of sculpture during the Renaissance and served as masters to artists such as Michelangelo, Bernini, and Donatello. The plays of dramatists such as Aristophanes not only displayed an acerbic wit and a genius for political satire so pronounced that their works continue to be performed - and topical - to this day, and they served as the inspiration for virtually all playwrights from Shakespeare to the present day. And this does not take into account the host of equally brilliant mathematicians, natural philosophers, historians, astronomers and politicians that the city's great schools nurtured and produced. Modern perceptions of ancient Greece are almost always based on Athens and Sparta, which is why other city-states and other military units besides the hoplites have been overlooked for thousands of years. For this reason, Greek cavalry forces, including their composition, purpose, techniques, equipment, and developments, are still not very well understood when compared with their naval or infantry counterparts. In fact, one of the most important epochs in the history of Greek warfare was the transition from the use of chariot warfare to mounted fighting and infantry-based action. The heroes of Homer's epics, the Iliad and Odyssey, used chariots both on and off the battlefield as a means of transportation, but by the time Greece emerged from the Dark Ages, the chariot had almost entirely disappeared from Greek life. The main exception to this rule was in the world of athletics, where chariots continued to be used in competitive horse racing events, but the amount of public and private funds and the sheer effort which went into maintaining these expensive, highly-trained knights demonstrated how important the ancient Greeks themselves felt it was to have an effective cavalry. Indeed, even though they don't often find themselves in the historical spotlight, Greek cavalry actually played a crucial role in many famous battles, from the fall of Troy to the conquests of Alexander the Great. Ancient Greek Cavalry: The History and Legacy of Classical Greece's Forgotten Soldiers traces the development of Greek cavalry from the Bronze Age chariots to the classical cavalry, examining how and why these transitions took place. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about ancient Greek cavalry like never before.

Discusses the characteristics of classical Greek cavalry, including mobility, training, leadership, flexibility and motivation. The book challenges the assumption that the ancient Greek calvary was subordinated to the infantry because it was less effective in battle.

Gaebel dokumenterer såvel militært som historisk, at rytteriet - indtil Alexander den Store's død i 323 f.K - spillede en større rolle end hidtil opfattet. Som dokumentation gennemgås 50 markante slag, hvorunder Alexander bl.a. ændrede anvendelsen af rytteriet fra logistiske til offensive funktionenr.

Cavalry were an important part of almost every ancient army, yet modern writers have neglected them in favour of the infantry of the Greek phalanx and the Roman legions. Warhorse seeks to correct this injustice. Phil Sidnell challenges the common view that ancient cavalry were useful for scouting and raiding but left the real fighting to the foot soldiers. In fact, he argues, they were often used in a shock role and proved decisive on many occasions. The famous victories of great generals such as Alexander, Hannibal and Julius Caesar could not have been won without a full appreciation of the battle-winning potential of the cavalry. Drawing heavily on the ancient sources, Warhorse takes the reader on a thrilling ride through numerous vividly recreated battles, from the earliest civilizations to the Battle of Hastings, to reveal the horsemen of the ancient world in their full and deadly glory. 'A wonderful book ... written in a very clear and quick-paced writing style. It should become a classic.' PETER G. TSOURAS, US defence intelligence analyst and author and editor of many books, including Alexander: The Invincible King of Macedonia. 'Sidnell has produced a highly readable study of the combat role of cavalry in the ancient world ... argues his point in an imaginative thorough fashion ... this book will appeal to a wide range of readers.' CHOICE, June 2007

Uses new methodologies, evidence, and topics to better understand ancient warfare and its place in culture and history New Approaches to Greek and Roman Warfare brings together essays from specialists in ancient history who employ contemporary tools and approaches to reveal new evidence and increase knowledge of ancient militaries and warfare. In-depth yet highly readable, this volume covers the most recent trends for understanding warfare, militaries, soldiers, non-combatants, and their roles in ancient cultures. Chronologically-organized chapters explore new methodologies, evidence, and topics while offering fresh and original perspectives on recent documentary and archaeological discoveries. Covering the time period from Archaic Greece to the Late Roman Empire, the text asks questions of both new and re-examined old evidence and discusses the everyday military life of soldiers and veterans. Chapters address unique topics such as neurophysiological explanations for why some soldiers panic and others do not in the same battle, Greek society’s handling of combat trauma in returning veterans, the moral aspects and human elements of ancient sieges, medical care in the late Roman Empire, and the personal experience of military servicemembers and their families. Each chapter is self-contained to allow readers to explore topics in any order they prefer. This book: Features case studies that examine psychological components of military service such as morale, panic, recovery, and trauma Offers discussions of the economics of paying for warfare in the Greek and Roman worlds and why Roman soldiers mutinied Covers examining human remains of ancient conflict, including interesting photos Discusses the role of women in families and as victims and addresses issues related to women and war Places discussions in the broader context of new wave military history and includes complete bibliographies and further reading suggestions Providing new material and topical focus, New Approaches to Greek and Roman Warfare is an ideal text for Greek History or Roman History courses, particularly those focusing on ancient warfare, as well as scholars and general readers with interest in the ancient militaries.