Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare

2018 - Post 12 - Several Variants of the Celebrated Corinthian Helmet

2018-02-11T16:20:00.001-05:00

Of all the different types of ancient Greek helmets, the Corinthian variant is the most celebrated. It appears on more sculptures or artistic renderings than any of the other designs.

One example of a well-preserved artifact which is in the permanent collection of the Staatliche Antikensammlungen Museum in Munich can be viewed immediately below.

Staatliche Antikensammlungen in Munich, Germany

As warfare of the ancient Greeks evolved, so did the panoply which was the suit of armor worn by heavily armed warriors of ancient Greece, including the helmet. The illustration by the great scholar, Peter Connolly is extremely informative as it collates several of the different varieties.

Illustrations by Peter Connolly

The helmets that are numbered 11, 12 and 16 are Corinthian types, 17 and 18 are Chalcidian helmets, 19 is an Attic and 20 is a Thracian helmet.

As can be evidenced from the non-Corianthian variants, the tendency was to provide a more 'open' type of protective covering for the head which left the face exposed, however, it increased peripheral visibility.

Furthermore, there were now openings for the ears which allowed the warrior to be able to hear the commands on the battlefield much more easily.

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2018 - Post 11 - The Polarizing Depiction of Xerxes the Great in the Movies

2018-02-10T14:52:00.000-05:00

The most polarizing figure in both the Warner Brothers' films, "300" and its follow-up, "300: Rise of an Empire" was the characterization of the Achaemenid royal, Xerxes the Great.

I am pretty certain that all viewers of these films will agree with the assessment that the depiction of the Persian king was extremely exaggerated. The image at the bottom of the page will confirm this, as it is a stele at Persepolis of Xerxes and two of his attendants.

Persepolis

Essentially, there are those who would have liked a more convincing appearance than the one below, and others who had no problem with the adaptation since the movie was based on a set of comic books created by Frank Miller.

The bottom line was either you liked the portrayal by Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes (below), or you did not...it seems as if there was no middle ground.

Rodrigo Santoro in the Warner Bros. movie, "300"

A much more accurate representation was brought to the screen by David Farrar in the 1962 film, "The 300 Spartans". As you can see, Farrar looks more regal than his counterpart and mirrors the image of the stele at Persepolis, which lends an air of authenticity to the role of the Achaemenid king.

David Farrar in the 20th Century Fox film, "The 300 Spartans"

2018 - Post 10 - Before Frank Miller's, "300" comics, there was "The Lion of Sparta"

2018-02-09T11:09:00.001-05:00

The blockbuster motion picture, "300" that premiered in 2007 was adapted from the eponymous Frank Miller five-part comic book series (1998), which by now is old news. Now that we've got that out of the way, did you know there was a comic book about the Battle of Thermopylae, published several decades earlier?

The image below is of the rare Dell Publishing Co., Inc. issue, "The Lion of Sparta", released in 1962 to coincide with the movie "The 300 Spartans".

On the cover, Richard Egan as King Leonidas of Sparta - and in the background, the Spartan battle formation which assembled in the movie for the final day's battle.

"The Lion of Sparta" comic book based on the movie, "The 300 Spartans"

For those who are aficionados of the film, thumbing through the pages may bring back fond memories of those intrepid red-cloaked Spartans.

The characters are all represented such as King Leonidas and the Spartan warriors, Agathon, Pentheus and Phylon. Furthermore, Xerxes the Great and the commander of the Immortals, Hydarnes - even the traitor, Ephialtes appears and yes, without a hunchback!

If you have seen the motion picture, the scenes illustrated in the comics are very familiar, such as the assembly in Corinth with Athenian general, Themistocles; the night raid in Xerxes camp, the cavalry charge by the Sagartian horsemen and the attack of the Immortals, who are depicted much more realistically. Yes, comics can offer glimpses of historicity.

In the upper left hand corner is the price of the comic which was 12 cents in 1962! If you own one of these comics in excellent condition, it has appreciated over 20,000%. Not a bad return on your investment!

One note, if you're thinking about buying a copy, it is much, much more different than Frank Miller's comics...perhaps less artistic, definitely less gruesome and a tad more accurate.

Incidentally, "The 300 Spartans" motion picture inspired Miller to create the "300" comics based on the Battle of Thermopylae. Now depending on your point of view, is that good or bad?

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2018 - Post 9 - Review of "The Battle of Marathon" by Peter Krentz

2018-02-08T15:05:00.000-05:00

When the word Marathon is mentioned, it usually conjures up images of today’s athletes running in one of sport’s ultimate tests of endurance. Its genesis, however, can be traced back around 2500 years ago to 490 B.C., where legend has it, a herald ran approximately 26 miles from the battlefield of Marathon to the city of Athens. Upon entering what would eventually become the cultural center of Western civilization, the messenger Pheidippides/Philippides, proclaimed victory by the Greek army over the invading Persian forces, collapsed and died shortly thereafter.

While the veracity of this story has been questioned, it is another run associated with the battle that many scholars have also disputed. It's the ‘charge’ by 10,000 - 11,000 Athenian and Plataean hoplites over a distance of around a mile which has met with incredulity from academia. The primary reason for this skepticism is that the Greek hoplite, defined as a heavily armed warrior, wore armor that was believed to weigh approximately 70 pounds. How they were able to ‘run’ this distance in their panoplies (a full set of armor) while rendering the hail of arrows from thousands of Persian archers ineffective is one of the focal points of Professor Peter Krentz’s book entitled, "The Battle of Marathon".

The primary source of this battle has been the historian Herodotus of Halicarnassus, who recorded through oral testimony, that the distance run during this Greek offensive was 8 eight stadia (.9 miles). Since the length of the ‘charge’ has been vigorously debated amongst academics, Mr. Krentz, through analysis and reconstruction has determined that it was feasible. His argument has some validity since he asserts that the Greeks wore armor as light as 30 pounds. This is considerably less than the conventionally accepted 70 pounds of armor, which is what would have comprised about half of the typical warrior’s weight during the era of the Greco-Persian Wars. It is also his contention that since the Greeks worked in an agrarian society, they would have had enough energy to run this distance and sufficient reserve to effectively engage the Persians.

Painting of the Battle of Marathon by Peter Krentz

Since the topography of the battlefield has changed and since very few archaeological artifacts have been recovered from Marathon, what Mr. Krentz has described may be deemed speculative. However, what cannot be repudiated and which is reinforced throughout the author’s book is that this landmark victory pierced the Persian aura of indestructibility. The ratio of 32-1 killed supports this conclusion as the losses suffered by King Darius the Great’s army numbered 6400, while Greek losses amounted to approximately 200.

While the Battle of Marathon inspired the race which evolved into the signature event of the modern day Olympics, its magnitude has transcended the arena of sports. Englishman John Stuart Mills wrote that: ". . . the Battle of Marathon even as an event in British history, is more important than the Battle of Hastings". Furthermore, Scottish historian, George Finlay stated in reference to Marathon: "There is no battle in ancient or modern times more deserving of praise for its military conduct, none more worthy of admiration for its immediate results on society, or more beneficial in its permanent influence on the fate of mankind." These approbations and others over the last several centuries continually reflect upon the importance of the first major land battle between Western and Eastern civilizations.

One of Marathon’s more renowned combatants, the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus, who ultimately was recognized as the ‘Father of Tragedy’ purportedly composed his own epitaph. An indication of the battle’s significance is that he did not mention any of the great works in his distinguished oeuvre, only of his exploits on this highly venerated battlefield.

Beneath this stone lies Aeschylus, son of Euphorion, the Athenian,

who perished in the wheat-bearing land of Gela;

of his noble prowess the grove of Marathon can speak,

or the long-haired Persian who knows it well

As with Aeschylus’ epigraph and the gravestones, columns and monuments which were erected shortly thereafter, they all attest to the battle’s immediate impact. However, the actions on that summer day on the plains of Marathon between two great civilizations still resonate 2,500 years later and will continue to do so with the 26-mile race which commemorates the mythical run of Pheidippides.

Peter Krentz - ARC - "The Battle of Marathon"

Full disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher, Yale University Press

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2018 - Post 8 - "The Death of Medusa" by Laurent-Honoré Marqueste

2018-02-07T10:35:00.000-05:00

For readers of mythology, I don't believe many would deny that one of the great tales is that of the ancient Greek hero, Perseus' encounter with the Gorgon, Medusa and the events which led to her death.

Medusa, as she appeared in the earlier Greek myths and vase paintings was depicted as a hideous creature with snakes that writhed around her face and head. An object of dread, we are familiar with the narrative that if you gazed into her eyes you would turn to stone.

What is interesting though, is that in the later versions she was still terrifying, however, much more attractive than her initial appearances. The Roman poet, Ovid, in his famous work, "Metamorphoses" described Medusa before her transformation as a startling beauty.

There are several excellent sculptures and paintings with respect to Perseus' defeat of Medusa, however, they have portrayed the scene following her death with the hero holding her head in a moment of triumph.

"The Death of Medusa" by Laurent-Honoré Marqueste (1903)
- Photo: PRISMA - UIG VIA GETTY IMAGES

This statue, which was completed in 1903 by French sculptor, Laurent-Honoré Marqueste is much more intense in that it depicts the violent struggle which ensues right before Perseus administers the fatal blow.

The artwork is on display at the Ny Carlsberg Glytotek in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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2018 - Post 7 - "The Death of Achilles" by Scottish artist, Gavin Hamilton

2018-02-05T14:50:00.000-05:00

The following image is of a lovely painting completed in 1785 by Scottish artist, Gavin Hamilton entitled, "The Death of Achilles". It should be noted that while the ancient Greek hero's death wasn't included in the, "Iliad", it was embodied in a subsequent account of the Trojan War.

The "Iliad" composed by Homer ends with the death of the Trojan prince, Hector. Instead, Achilles' demise was included in the poem, "Aethiopis" or "Aithiopis" (Αἰθιοπίς), attributed to the Greek epic poet, Arctinus of Miletus.

The artwork below is an idealized representation of the final moments of the Myrmidon prince, not a literal portrayal from the Greek mythological accounts. Achilles died near the Scaean Gates outside of the walls of Troy, shot from the bow of Paris with an assist from Apollo.

What do you think?

Gavin Hamilton's, "The Death of Achilles".

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2018 - Post 6 - The Similarities Between Football and Ancient Greek Warfare

2018-02-04T14:28:00.000-05:00

Since today is Super Bowl Sunday and the biggest professional football game of the year in the States, I would like to offer several inescapable similarities between the battles fought by the Greeks and their adversaries - and the players on the football teams opposing each other.

To illustrate this point, what better way to draw these comparisons than to focus on the namesakes of those illustrious warriors from Sparta, the mighty Spartans from Michigan State University (MSU).

At first glance, it may appear that there is at least one major difference between the Spartan hoplites and other Greek warriors of the Classical Age...and those that don the jersey of the collegiate or professional player. It may seem that there isn't any martial intent exhibited on the football field, unlike the battlefields of ancient Greece....then again, perhaps there is one after all!

1A - The panoply of the ancient Greek warrior on display at the
Archaeological Museum of Olympia, Greece

1B - The football uniform of the MSU Spartans

Martial intent defined by one U.S. marine is: "I will have an unconquerable, aggressive spirit which will make me desire to destroy the enemy, or I will know how to fight, survive and win on any battlefield". This may sound exaggerated in the context of collegiate or professional sports, however, isn't the end result the same - victory?

So, here's hoping that all of these images are viewed in the spirit intended!

The Corinthian helmet worn by the ancient Greek god, Ares

(Statue by John Gibson - 1866)

2B - The helmet of the MSU Spartan Kirk Cousins

3A - "The 300 Spartans" preparing for battle (c) 20th Century Fox

3B - The MSU Spartans preparing for battle

4A - The "300" Spartans phalanx (c) Warner Bros.

4B - The Michigan State University phalanx

5A - The Spartan aulete playing the aulos (Chigi Vase)

5B - The Spartan marching band

6A - "The 300 Spartans" on the battlefield of Thermopylae
(c) 20th Century Fox

6B - The Michigan State Spartans on the football 'battle' field

I look forward to your questions and/or comments!

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2018 - Post 5 - The Appearance of the Battlefield of Thermopylae - Fact and Fiction

2018-02-03T14:49:00.000-05:00

When students who have a familiarity with the Battle of Thermopylae arrive in Greece at the site of one of history's celebrated last stands, quite a few are astonished at how drastically the landscape has changed.

For visitors who are only aware of this iconic conflict as a result of their viewing the Warner Bros.' movie(s), "300" and/or "300: Rise of an Empire", it is even more difficult for them to envision that this location could be where one of antiquity's greatest battles was fought. Why?

The Pass of Thermopylae (c) Warner Bros.

First off, the primary source of this conflict was the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus. His description stated that the pass was only about 50 feet wide in 480 BC when a coalition of Greek city-states commanded by King Leonidas fought against the might of the Persian empire in 480 BC. Chosen by the Greeks as a superior defensive position, it created a bottleneck that negated the overwhelming superiority in numbers of the Persian army.

Then we have the vastly exaggerated version adapted for the big screen from the Frank Miller comic book series, "300" (see image above). Who can forget the memorable scene in the film when the Spartans pushed the Persians over the cliff? Unfortunately, that was entertainment....there wasn't a precipitous drop as depicted in the movie, nor were there mountains on each side which we saw prior to arrival of the Spartiates. It was pure fiction which was debunked decades ago by geological and topographical analyses.

Today, the terrain is unrecognizable and bears hardly any of the physical characteristics that allowed the Greeks to offer a stiff resistance for two days, until they were compromised by a traitor, Ephialtes. It was his knowledge of a goat path (Anopaea) that doomed the Hellenes and allowed the Persians to surround and ultimately annihilate the Spartan and Thespian defenders who remained and fought until the end.

The collage below includes an imaginative reconstruction of the pass as it looked approximately 2,500 years ago (top) vs. how Thermopylae appears today (bottom).

The battlefield of Thermopylae past (top) and present (bottom)
- Reconstruction courtesy of the Perseus Project

To the right of the modern-day road in the image at the bottom of the collage is where the waters from the Gulf of Malis would have appeared. Today, these waters from the Malian Gulf have receded as a result of an accumulation of silt, thereby making it difficult for many visitors to reconcile the Thermopylae of present with the Herodotean narrative.

I encourage your questions and/or comments!

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2018 - Post 4 - "Thermopylae" by Philip Steele, Published in 1993

2018-02-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

Over the years, I have fielded quite a few questions from parents or relatives about which book to recommend about the Battle of Thermopylae for a younger student. There is one title which I would endorse...unfortunately, it is out of print. The book is from the "Great Battles and Sieges" series and is entitled "Thermopylae".

Authored by Philip Steele and published in 1993, it serves as a nice introduction to one of the great battles of antiquity. Why I highly recommend this title are the illustrations by Robert Payne, which are in color and worth the price alone.

The cover image is indicative of the quality of Payne's work throughout the book.

Most of the copies that are available, if in excellent condition are pretty expensive, however, on occasion several will surface that are ex-libris, owned once by a library or individual and much more affordable.

Keep your eye out....this will be an excellent addition for the young reader!

2018 - Post 3 - The Transformation of the Sirens of Ancient Greek Mythology

2018-01-31T19:48:00.001-05:00

The "Odyssey", which was composed ca. 8th century BC by the ancient Greek poet, Homer is one of the great works of Western literature. Comprised of twenty-four books, one of its memorable scenes occurred in Book 12 when the titular hero, Odysseus (Ulysses) encountered the deadly Sirens. These were the mythological creatures whose voices were so enchanting, they would lure sailors to their islands...and ultimately to their deaths.

There are three small islands to the south of the Italian island of Capri that are comprised of sharp rocks that were named, "Sirenum Scopuli" by the Roman poets Ovid and Virgil. It was there that according to the tales of ancient Greek mythology, the Sirens would kill the unfortunates who succumbed to their wiles, seduced by the sounds of their music and mellifluous voices.

What is interesting is the evolution in the appearance over the centuries of these dangerous creatures! In the earliest depictions, e.g. the pottery from the British Museum which is dated, ca. 480 BC (see below), the Sirens were represented as females, with avian-like features, such as the legs of a bird and with or without wings. However, over the last several centuries, the tendency has been to portray them by artists as beautiful seductive women.

"The Sirens" by Henrietta Rae (1903)

"Sirènes au bord de l'eau" by Victor Karlovich Shtemberg (1901)

As you can see from the images from above which were more contemporary, the dynamic has changed...instead of seducing the sailors with their voices, later on it was also with their beauty.

"Odysseus and the Sirens", ca. 480 BC (British Museum)

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2018 - Post 2 - Review of Paul Cartledge's "Ancient Greece: A History in Eleven Cities"

2018-01-24T15:35:00.001-05:00

The civilization of ancient Greece had a unique political system in that a unified nation-state did not exist; instead, it was comprised of over 1,000 ‘poleis’, or cities/city-states, as they are more generally well known. This distinguishing feature owed itself somewhat to the vast expanse through which these entities were dispersed, not only on the Greek mainland, but also throughout the surrounding islands and beyond. Though these cities essentially shared the same religious beliefs, they were in most cases wholly autonomous and independent of each other, thereby maintaining an individuality which resulted in a separate and distinctive identity.

Dr. Paul Cartledge has selected a handful of these ‘poleis’ in his book entitled Ancient Greece: A History of Eleven Cities. Presented in chronological order, these entities are classified within the following categories: Prehistory (Knossos and Mycenae); Dark and Archaic Age (Argos, Miletus, Massalia and Sparta); Classical Period (Athens, Syracuse and Thebes); The Hellenistic Age (Alexandria), and finally Retrospect and Prospect (Byzantion). Serving as an introduction to the rich history of Greek civilization, this title offers a profile of each of these diverse cities, separated by not only geography, but in most instances, centuries as well.

As a historical consultant, author, lecturer and editor of countless volumes on ancient Greece, Professor Cartledge has established himself as one of the leading authorities on both Athens and Sparta, therefore, it comes as no surprise as to their inclusion in this title. What may intrigue readers are the criteria used in the selection process of the rest of these ‘poleis’, several of which might appear unconventional at first glance, such as Massalia (Marseilles) and Byzantion (Byzantium). However, the rationale for all the choices are justified in the context of not limiting the realm of Greek influence to only Aegean Greece.

While Cartledge’s erudition is evident throughout this book, it is especially perceptible when he addresses the city-state of Thebes. As the largest ‘polis’ of the area known as Boeotia, Thebes’ Hellenism has been questioned and is by far the most convoluted of not only the cities represented in this book, but perhaps of ancient Greek civilization in its entirety. The reasons for this assessment are most apparent during the Greco-Persian Wars of 490-479 BC, which accorded Thebes the wrath of their fellow countrymen, and most pointedly those who fought with the Greek alliance against Persia.

Illustration by +Jim Carrozza

In what unequivocally has been a source of contention has been the disposition of 400 Theban hoplites that volunteered to defend the pass of Thermopylae (‘Hot Gates’) in 480 BC. The historian Herodotus recorded that even though this contingent fought with a coalition of Greek confederates led by King Leonidas, the ‘Father of History’ maintained that Thebes’ sympathies were aligned with the Persian invaders. Conversely, the historian Diodorus asserted that they were patriots who represented a minority faction whose allegiance was to the Hellenes’ defense of Thermopylae. In spite of their presence, the perception of the Thebans’ loyalty has been questioned as a result of surrendering prior to the annihilation of the remaining Greek defenders during ancient history’s greatest last stand. This behavior contradicted the actions of Thebes’ Boeotian sister city Thespiae, whose 700 hoplites perished with the 300 Spartans, under the hail of Persian arrows which Herodotus noted ‘were so numerous that they blot out the sun’. What is perhaps even more enigmatic is that in the following year during the Battle of Plataea (479 BC), the Theban forces had ‘medized’ by fighting with the Persians against their fellow Greeks.

What followed decades later was Thebes’ ascension as a dominant force in Greece due to the attrition suffered by both Sparta and Athens as a result of the Peloponnesian and Corinthian Wars from 431-404 BC and 395-387 BC, respectively. Theban hegemony began shortly thereafter, with their resounding defeat of the Spartiates at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC which had widespread repercussions throughout Greece. This significant victory eventually resulted in the liberation of thousands of Sparta’s helots and the establishment of Messene and Megalopolis. The founding of these two fortified cities by the Theban general Epaminondas in such close proximity to the Spartan military city-state, combined with the loss of valuable manpower rendered her impotent. Therefore, whether or not the Thebans have been unjustly maligned over the centuries, in this instance at least, the freedom of the helots or ‘disenfranchised’ fellow Greeks from Spartan rule may be considered Thebes’ finest hour.

While Thebes’ prominence extended beyond the Boeotian region for a relatively brief time, it ended in 338 BC when Philip of Macedon and his formidable army defeated the Thebans and Athenians who had combined forces at the Battle of Chaeronea. The traitorous actions of Thebes during the Persian invasions which had not been forgotten were still so reviled that in 335 BC, Philip’s son Alexander the Great, felt compelled in ordering the city’s destruction as a result of their disloyalty. Its downfall ended an era when according to the book’s author, the Greek ‘poleis’ such as Thebes, Athens and Sparta exerted influence throughout Greece, not only politically, but militarily.

To have limited the number of cities to this select few must have been a daunting task, especially since there were so many to choose from. However, Cartledge’s choices have exemplified the themes that were integral to ancient Greek civilization such as politics, religion, philosophy, historiography, etc., all of which had an impact, not only on ancient Greece, but the Western world as well.

Full disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher, Oxford University Press

Advance Reading Copy - "Ancient Greece: A History in Eleven Cities"

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2018 - Post I - Review of "Beyond the Gates of Fire"

2018-01-22T14:37:00.001-05:00

I've decided that in lieu of posting 3 or 4 times each and every day to the collections as I have in the past, it is time to revive this blog. It is my hope that with longer content, adding social media buttons and an RSS feed it will increase exposure and encourage readers to 'engage' in the topic, which appears to be lacking in most collections and that has been my fault. This will be a work in progress....

My lecture at the recently completed Center for Hellenic Studies

on the University of Connecticut campus.

And now the reason for the title of the first post of 2018.....

In Beyond the Gates of Fire, which evokes the title of the popular Steven Pressfield novel, co-editor Matthew quotes a 1958 article by the eminent historian, W. Kendrick Pritchett, which states that “the battle of Thermopylai of 480 BC is such a well-worn subject that no fresh approach seems possible.” To which Matthew counters fifty-five years later, “yet such a statement seems far from likely.” In the last decade alone we’ve seen several additions to the Thermopylai (Gr.) canon, such as Paul Cartledge’s Thermopylae: The Battle that Changed the World; Nic Fields’ Thermopylae 480 BC: Last Stand of the 300; and Dimitris Belezos and Ioannis Kotoulas’ Thermopylae 480 BC: The Most Unequal Battle in History. Therefore, do we need another publication about the iconic conflict at the ‘Hot Gates’ - the answer is an unequivocal yes.

Several disciplines, which include geological and topographical analyses, have evolved since Pritchett’s statement over half a century ago. They have contributed to a better understanding of the physiographic terrain in the chapter entitled The Topography of the Pass of Thermopylae Circa 480 BC. The findings by George Rapp and his colleagues, along with the accompanying maps and images, refute the exaggerated appearance of the battlefield in Warner Bros.’ movie 300 and its follow-up 300: Rise of an Empire. One of the divisive topics covered by Matthew is whether or not the Greek defense led by King Leonidas and the Spartans was a suicide mission.

Beyond the Gates of Fire has eight chapters and, as the subtitle indicates, several offer new perspectives on the events leading up to the battle and afterwards. The content in a few of these essays may seem familiar, while in others the most recent scholarship provides new insight into one of antiquity's greatest battles.

Full disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher, Pen and Sword Books which I was honored to review relative to the Battle of Thermopylae. My other reviews will be posted in the near future including interesting looking covers of ARC's (Advance Reading Copies) that aren't sold by the publisher.

Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #185: Corinthian Helmet at the British Museum

2016-09-29T03:00:00.000-04:00

The image is of a slightly damaged Corinthian helmet which is on display at the British Museum.

Upon closer inspection, indentations are visible that outline the nose & cheek guards.

It is this ornateness that may indicate that the Greek warrior who wore this helmet into battle was of status.

The two larger holes at the bottom of the helmet were for a lining, which would provide some comfort for the hoplite who wore this protective device during the hot summer months in the hot, humid weather of Greece.

Corinthian helmet - British Museum

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #184: Marilyn Bridges' Aerial Photograph of the Acropolis

2016-09-22T03:00:00.000-04:00

I've been pretty fortunate to visit the Acropolis and to view quite a few amazing photographs of the celebrated ancient Greek citadel.

There is one image that defies description, not only because it was an aerial photograph and obviously taken from a plane, it was the fearlessness exhibited by the photographer, Marilyn Bridges!

I was advised by the Akron Art Museum in Cleveland that when she took this photo and many others like this from her plane, Ms. Bridges was literally laying on the floor of the aircraft with her body hanging part way out of an open cargo door!

Not only can we glimpse the Acropolis, but in the foreground on the left, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and on the right, the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus.

Photographer extraordinaire - Marilyn Bridges

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #183: James Stuart's Painting of the Erechtheion (Erechtheum)

2016-09-15T03:00:00.000-04:00

The following watercolor was created in the mid-1700's by Scottish archaeologist, architect and artist, James "Athenian" Stuart.

There have been quite a few dates mentioned when the artwork was completed, however, the best estimate would be between 1751 and 1754, when Stuart traveled extensively throughout Greece.

The image appeared as an engraving in Stuart & Revett's 'The Antiquities of Athens' (London, 1787), vol. II, ch. ii, pl. II.

Nicholas Revett must also be acknowledged since he is best known for his work with Stuart, when together they documented the ruins of ancient Athens. Collectively, their illustrations comprise 5 folio volumes and include 368 etched and engraved plates, plans and maps drawn at scale.

Their work was groundbreaking in that they were the first of their kind in studies of ancient Greece.

In the painting, Stuart (in red) depicted himself sketching in the foreground while his laborers excavated the base of the monument under the watch of Turkish spies from the porch. According to Stuart, the two pipe-smoking men were high-ranking Turkish officials who policed the site so that Stuart and Revett would not carry away treasure. (Paraphrased from the notes section http://www.vam.ac.uk/users/node/3389)

James "Athenian" Stuart © RIBA Library Drawings Collection/Victoria and Albert Museum

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #182: Sculpture in Melbourne of King Leonidas of Sparta

2016-09-10T03:00:00.000-04:00

The two most prominent statues of King Leonidas are at the battlefield in Thermopylae and in the city of Sparta.

Several years ago in 2009, a sculpture was commissioned of the Spartan king, which now resides in the Australian city of Melbourne.

Created by Greek sculptor, Petros Georgariou, the phenomenal artwork is located at the appropriately named Sparta Place, in the city that has the largest Greek population of any city in the world - outside of Greece.

Statue in Melbourne, Australia of King Leonidas of Sparta -
Photo: Melody Clifford

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #181: The Feared Spartan Phalanx and the Aulos

2016-09-08T03:00:00.000-04:00

The ancient Greek biographer, Plutarch (Πλούταρχος) recorded in "The Parallel Lives" a biography about the "Lives of Lycurgus".

In Chapter 22, section 3, he includes a passage about the feared Spartan phalanx:

"it was a sight equally grand and terrifying when they marched in step with the rhythm of the flute, without any gap in their line of battle, and with no confusion in their souls, but calmly and cheerfully moving with the strains of their hymn into the deadly fight. Neither fear nor excessive fury is likely to possess men so disposed, but rather a firm purpose full of hope and courage, believing as they do that Heaven is their ally."

The Spartan phalanx: Top - 1962's "The 300 Spartans / Bottom - 2007's "300"

The aulos, the ancient Greek wind instrument used in battle.

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #180: The Age of King Leonidas of Sparta at Death

2016-09-06T03:00:00.000-04:00

Unlike the more youthful appearance in the movies, King Leonidas of Sparta was in his early to late 50's, perhaps even as old as 60 yrs old when he died at Thermopylae.

It is estimated that the Spartan king was born around 540 BC, therefore, if we do the math...sixty! Pretty amazing, right?

King Leonidas statue at Thermopylae ('The Hot Gates')

Gerard Butler - King Leonidas in "300"

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #179: The Trireme's Ancient Greek Hoplites

2016-09-03T03:00:00.000-04:00

A fantastic illustration by artiste extraordinaire, Nikos Panos of a hoplite from the island of Samos.

In the background, a trireme is visible which would be carried out onto land to dry, if and when possible.

The drying allowed the vessel to move faster in the water, thereby increasing its maneuverability as well.

On the deck of the trireme there were a minimum of ten hoplites, like those depicted in the image below.

At the Battle of Lade in 494 BC during the Ionian Revolt, there were 40 hoplites on board the vessels from the island of Chios, therefore, the number differed by city-state and conflict.

Nevertheless, the panoply worn by this warrior was indicative of the armor worn by many of the Greeks during the Graeco-Persian Wars.

Image of a hoplite from the island of Samos by artist, Nikos Panos

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #178: Laconic Sayings of the Spartans

2016-09-01T03:00:00.000-04:00

The Spartans are known for being laconic, which essentially means to be very brief, or to use only a few words.

The most famous example is that at Thermopylae in 480 BC when the Persians asked King Leonidas and the rest of the Greek forces to lay down their weapons.

The Spartan king's reply: "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ"..."Come and Take Them"

However, there was an even briefer example to the iconic response at the 'Hot Gates'.

Philip II of Macedonia, (father of Alexander the Great) gave the Spartans an ultimatum:

"You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city."

The Spartan response, "If".

Incidentally, Philip and his son, Alexander never invaded Sparta.

Statue in Sparta of the most famous of its warriors, King Leonidas

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #177: The Lion of Chaeronea - Monument to the Sacred Band of Thebes

2016-08-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

One of the great fighting forces of ancient Greece were the 300 elite warriors known as the Sacred Band of Thebes (Ἱερὸς Λόχος).

This contingent of Thebans greatly impacted the Battle of Leuctra on July 6th, 371 BC where a larger force of Spartans were defeated, thereby effective ending Spartan hegemony.

Several decades later on August 2nd, 338 BC, Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, employed the Macedonian phalanx which shattered the Athenian and Theban formation which resulted in a decisive victory for Macedonia.

Included in the casualties were most of elite warriors from the Sacred Band of Thebes.

The photograph taken by German photographer, Herbert List in 1937 is of the "Lion of Chaeronea" which is a monument to the fallen warriors of the Sacred Band.

"The Lion of Chaeronea" monument to the Sacred Band of Thebes
by Herbert List (c) Magnum Photos

"The Lion of Chaeronea" monument photo (2009) by Philipp Pilhofer

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #176: Bertel Thorvaldsen's Statue of "Jason and the Golden Fleece"

2016-08-27T03:00:00.000-04:00

One of the most appealing statues of any of the ancient Greek heroes is Danish sculptor (Karl Albert) Bertel Thorvaldsen's "Jason with the Golden Fleece".

Inspired from a drawing by painter, Asmus Jacob Carstens, Thorvaldsen created two versions of the "Jason" statue, one created in clay in 1803 and a larger marble statue which was completed in 1828.

The marble version was commissioned by English art patron, Thomas Hope, when upon Hope's death the sculpture was acquired at an auction in 1917 by Copenhagen's Thorvaldsen Museum.

It is only fitting that it is part of the museum's permanent exhibition since it is reunited with many of Thorvaldsen's other great works.

Bertel Thorvaldsen's Statue of "Jason and the Golden Fleece"

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #175: Edwin Smith's Photograph of Cape Sounion

2016-08-25T03:00:00.000-04:00

The Temple of Poseidon is one of the greatest structures relative to Greece.

What makes it even more appealing is that it is located on the promontory overlooking Cape Sounion (Sounio).

It is there in 1962 that English photographer, Edwin George Herbert Smith captured one of the most idyllic images of the temple and its surroundings. Don't you agree?

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion by Edwin Smith

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #174: William James Stillman's Rare Photo of the Parthenon

2016-08-23T03:00:00.000-04:00

One of the greatest photographers of the Parthenon was, and in my opinion still is American journalist, author and historian, William James Stillman!

There are images of Stillman climbing rickety ladders which allowed him to capture unique angles of one of the world's most revered structures.

Here is one of the photos from 1870 where from his vantage point looking eastward over the ruins of the Parthenon he captured this stunning snapshot.

An amazing image from an intrepid photographer!

William James Stillman (c) Philadelphia Museum of Art

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Classical Greece and Ancient Greek Warfare - (2016) #173: Corinthian Helmet, Circa 6th Century BC

2016-08-20T03:00:00.000-04:00

The image below is of the most famous of the ancient Greek helmets, the Corinthian variety.

This specific artifact is from the 6th century BC and was sold by Christie's Auction House on behalf of the estate of a private German collector for $37,500 (GBP£24,070).

The Christie's catalogue provided the following description for interested buyers:

A GREEK BRONZE CORINTHIAN HELMET, ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA MID 6TH CENTURY B.C.

Hammered from a single heavy sheet, of domed form, the neck-guard flaring, with elongated almond-shaped eye holes and a protruding rounded nose-guard, the bowl carinated horizontally, perforated along the perimeter, additional perforations centered low on the brow and one toward the back on either side; an ancient repair reinforcing the nose-guard 9¾ in. (24.8 cm.) high.

Corinthian Helmet, Circa 6th Century BC (c) Christie's Auction House

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