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CITY, STATE AND WAR
The ancient Greeks at war
The ancient Greek land was made of many city states that fought with each other and with neighbouring countries. As a result, the Greeks trained hard and developed new skills in fighting.
Greek cities often faced threats of invasion from overseas or attack by neighbouring states. As a result learning to fight was taken very seriously (picture 2). When they became soldiers, men gave a sacred military oath in front of their shields (picture 1). In Sparta, soldiers gave oaths to die before surrendering.
It was shameful to lose a battle
and come back with your shield, and even worse to have lost your shield to the enemy. However, it was thought glorious to be carried back dead on your shield. Spartan mothers would say to their sons as they left for battle: “Come
E 1 Shield with episema symbol.
back with your shield – or on it!” Because Spartan soldiers had given this oath, they were especially ferocious warriors and immensely feared.
 2 The Greeks fought mainly with long spears and swords. During an attack they locked shields to form a solid protective wall, with each soldier placing his shield over the soldier to his left. They lined up eight or more deep – called a PhAlAnx.
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