The Greeks' gods interaction with humans is what makes their relationship unique.
- Examples are:
- Poseidon (god of the sea) interfering with Odysseus.
- Aphrodite (goddess of love) had lovers who were both gods and men.
- Dionysus (a demigod of wine) was the son of Zeus (basically, god of gods) and Semele (a human princess).
- Greek city-states military forces
- Spartans
- Greeks certainly were warlike people, but especially the Spartans.
- Spartans were known for having a rough, ruthless infantry--soldiers who fought on land.
- Spartan boys were trained since age seven.
- Athens
- Athenians also had a great infantry, but their navy was incredible.
- Their most efficient weapon was the trireme.
- It was a technological marvel which was rowed by up to 170 men distributed among three levels.
- It was the fastest ship at the time, which could also be used as a battering ram.
- Phalanx
- Close-rank, dense grouping of warriors on land.
- Armed with long spears and interlocking shields.
- Soldiers would advance slowly towards their enemies until ranks were broken.
- Then, the soldiers would take the place of the person in front lowering their spear.
- Persian War
- Greek army
- Soldiers used iron weapons (so that ordinary citizens could afford to arm themselves).
- Armed with spears, swords, and shields).
- Foot soldiers (hoplites) were trained from an early age.
- Often fought in the phalanx formation.
- Had a "home field" advantage.
- Were motivated to preserve their nation so that they would not have democracy taken away from them.
- Persian army
- Had huge numbers of soldiers.
- Were a long way from home.
- It was a professional army composed of soldiers by hire (aka mercenary).
- Sequence of attack
- Archers, who do damage from afar.
- Cavalry (horses), which disrupt communication between the enemies' generals and soldiers.
- Lightly armored infantry.
- Carried spears, swords, and bows.
- The Greeks were victorious and formed the Delian League.
- Which took taxes from all of the citizens in the city-states that made up Greece (especially Athens) and used the money toward military growth.
- Built up army to be able to defend Greece from another attack and invasions.
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