Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

IV.EARLY GREEK ARMIES AND WARS.Every Greek citizen was a soldier and trained as such. In Homeric timesthe great warriors fought in chariots, the lesser ones on foot. There was nocavalry. Distinct organization is traceable as far back as the times of theSeven against Thebes ; tactics is observable in the Trojan war. The siege ofTroy was a mere blockade, though its walls were very poor, for there was smallknowledge of the means of siege.Religion, education, and public games combinedto maintain the honor of the warrior's life. He was on duty from eighteento sixty years of age, and only through arms could political prefermentbe reached. The phalanx was the main reliance of the Greeks ; light troopswere insignificant, cavalry poor. Chariots disappeared after tlie Trojan war.Battles were uniformly in parallel order, and decided as a rule by one shock.The Greek armies were very nimble ; but sieges were long drawn out. Commandwas divided, much to the loss of directness. The men were not paid.Booty replaced emoluments. Rewards were mere marks of honor, punishmentsoutward marks of disgrace. Sparta was noted for the severity of itsdiscipline and the simplicity of its habits, but lacked the broad intelligencerequisite to continued success in war. The infantry was perfect ; the cavalryworthless. The kings, though in command, were subject to the whims of civilofficials, known as ephors. The Spartans had no idea of strategy, thoughthey practiced ruse.Peace to the soldier was incessant labor and deprivationto prepare his body for war ; he went to war as to a feast, decked with flowersand singing hymns of joy. The Athenian citizen was equally bound and bred toarms. From eighteen to forty he must serve anywhere, from forty to sixty beprepared to fall in to resist invasion. The phalanx was the chief reliance, asin Sparta. The Athenian soldier was more fiery, less constant, than the Spartan.Few early wars call for any notice. The Messenian wars were noteworthyon account of the able defense made against the Spartans, and the markedskill of Euphaes and Aristomenes. Not Sparta's skill or courage, but herexcess of strength, subdued the Messenians.The ancient Greeks borrowed the germs of all tliey knewof the art of war from the East, but with true national intel-