Armies and Tactics: Greek Armies during the Persian Invasions

Our secondary series called the Armies and Tactics finally makes its debut. This series will cover the armies, their tactics, formations, weaponry and other matters pertaining to the warfare. In this video, we talk about the way the armies of the ancient Greeks changed during the Persian invasions.
Previously we released this video on the warfare of the ancient Greeks between XVI and VI centuries BC: • Video
Sources used:
Anderson, J. K. ‘Greek Chariot-borne and Mounted Infantry’, American Journal of Archaeology.
Bugh G. The Horsemen of Athens, (Princeton University Press, 1988)
Boardman, J 1979 Athenian Red Figure Vases, (Thames and Hudson)
Everson, Tim. Warfare in Ancient Greece: Arms and Armor from the Heroes of Homer to Alexander the Great. (Stroud, 2004)
Greenhalg, Early Greek Warfare (Cambridge University Press, 1973)
Peter Green, The Greco-Persian Wars, (University of California)
Sekunda, N. The Ancient Greeks, (Osprey)
Snodgrass, Arms and Armor of the Greeks (John Hopkins University Press, 1999)
Sidnell, P. Warhorse: Cavalry in Ancient Warfare. (2006)
Warry, John. Warfare on the Classical World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in the Ancient Civilizations of Greece and Rome, (1995).
Xenophon, On the Art of Horsemen.
Aeschylus, Agamemnon.
Plutarch, Timoleon.
Thucidides, History of the Peloponnesian War, (Penguin, 1954)
This video was narrated by Officially Devin. Check out his channel for some kick-ass Let's Plays. / @offydgg & / @gameworldnarratives
The Machinimas for this video are created by one more friend - Malay Archer. Check out his channel, he has some of the best Total War machinimas ever created: / mathemedicupdates
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Inspired by: Invicta (THFE)
Machinimas made on the Total War: Attila engine using the great Medieval Kingdoms mod.
Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
Songs used:

[@KingsandGenerals]

We are constantly looking for the new formats. So, if you have something on your mind, share with us, and if the format proposed by you becomes the reality, you will decide on the first topic of this new format. Oh, and also don't forget to support us via patreon, paypal or youtube, if you think we deserve it. :-)

[@zerosternritter566]

Kings and Generals Do some Top 10 war strategies used by Generals in medieval era

[@iamaheretic7829]

Kings and Generals kings and generals how about history of different groups like history of china history of the holy Ronan empire history of France etc

[@friedrichhayek8628]

Kings and Generals awesome intro

[@Bobby-ud4xk]

Kings and Generals How about a series on weapons? You could give pros and cons of different weaponries and their specific usage throughout the ages. Maybe a comparison of first glance similar armory of specific military units and formations could be interesting, i. e. Classical Phalanx and Swiss Pikemen.

[@Killjoy97_]

Middle Byzantine era roman army from N. Phokas to Basill ii. Based on the military booklets of the time. The last revival of the great roman army.

[@JoshdaKnight]

“It is long enough to reach your heart.” Gotta love how real Spartans kept it.

[@dericspencer5728]

So romantic...

[@JoshdaKnight]

deric spencer I wouldn’t call it romantic but if that’s your thing, do you boo boo! 😂

[@gofar5185]

athens is too inflexible and not giving an inch of reservation for sparta... the combination of warrior spirit of sparta and eloquence of athens then added with macedonian BRAVERY & WARFARE SMARTNESS would have been a great vast lands and peoples civilization great power to the present...

[@user-tb6rj2pn1h]

Athenian hoplite: "I don't know man, that sounds kinda gay 😳📸"

[@rheiagreenland4714]

Ah yes, nothing more romantic for the Spartan soldier than the notion of a large phallic object long enough to reach their heart in the heat of combat... lmao

[@ioanniskoletis8300]

Wow, all these ancient greek words presented here, literaly ALL, are still used today, in greek language after 2500 years. Amazing.

[@chrisstamatis3570]

Just a note: Thessaloniki didn't exist at the time. It was found by Cassander, one of Alexander's generals.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Our bad.

[@chrisstamatis3570]

No problem at all. Good job overall.

[@friedrichhayek8628]

Kings and Generals Pela was the capital of Macedonian kingdom.

[@friedrichhayek8628]

@Demy Troy Φυσικά, Έλληνας είμαι αδερφέ. Η Μακεδονία είναι μια και ελληνική.

[@giannisv.4472]

Ρε μάγκες μας έχουν κάνει να λέμε Μακεδονία και να πρέπει να εξηγήσουμε ότι εννοούμε την ελληνική

[@andreaskokkinoftas3770]

Hello people! I am the historian along with Phoenix for this series so far. Thank you for your kind comments! I just wanted to address a few minor details: - There is an obvious small error in the script; Miltiades was the strategos during the day of the Battle of Marathon, not Themistocles. However, Themistocles was present commanding the Leonti Tribe, who fought in the hardest part of the battle against the best Persian units. In addition, he definitely contributed to the general battle plans, as every Athenian strategos did. -There is still much talk on the exact metals used by the Ancient Greeks in different time periods, partly due to limited sources on metallurgy, blacksmithing techniques, metal availability etc. However, Iron becomes more widely used mostly because of economics rather than warfare. A common misconception is that iron replaces bronze as a better metal, however historians now argue that with the 'Bronze Age Collapse' long-trade routes are not used as often, making the copper and tin used for creating bronze scarce. Bronze was harder and did not rust throughout like iron, but the latter was cheaper, more abundant and it could provide better protection if carbonized, a topic which is still debated. That could perhaps be the case in some situations since we have evidence of case-hardening in Ancient Greece and Rome after a certain period. By melting Iron in a rich in carbon environment blacksmiths could produce steel, or most probably low-carbon iron. In addition, steel and iron could also be imported by trade. Damascus was a notable source of steel, which was in turn imported from China. -Hoplites were somewhat cumbersome when in formation due to the sheer weight of their armor, the hoplon and the tight ranks, but that does not mean they couldn't run for very short distances if commanded to. Herodotus stated that the Athenian hoplites sprinted the entire distance between the two armies, however they most probably marched until they got in range of the Persian archers, and then sprinted, in order to eliminate the use of archers and cavalry. There is also some evidence that the Spartans used this method in the Battle of Plataea against Persian cavalry. After all running in with the shield, the helmet and parts of the body armor was an ancient Greek sport in the Olympic Games called 'hoplitodromos'. - The evolution of armies and battle tactics for the Greeks at the time was not drastic similarly to the dramatic alterations that the Peloponnesian War brought about. The Persians were beaten due to a number of reasons, but the hoplite heavy infantry was at the epicenter of the Greek victory, simply because Greek generals capitalized on the unit's strong melee capabilities, while the Persians failed to make use of their cavalry and archers. You can imagine the Persian astonishment regarding the unit's effectiveness when considering the fact that after the end of the Greco-Persian Wars they started hiring Greek mercenaries much more consistently. Therefore expect a more thorough analysis of the battle systems, army upkeep and administration, as well as new units and drastic changes in the way the Greeks fight, in the next few episodes! - There is some talk on who should have won and I see people imposing certain social and political norms of today to these ancient societies. I would only like to say that it is unfair for these civilizations to be politically appropriated with today's standards. Thank you, enjoy!

[@MrDanish6066]

You guys are amazing. I think I speak for everyone when I say thanks for your hard work.

[@friedrichhayek8628]

Strategos at Greek means General

[@maxmagnus777]

I would love to see notes at the end of each video like the ones that you had made here.

[@terras6418]

Miltiades was important to Marathon yes (he was the commander, he fought in the Ionian Revolt and had first hand experience fighting Persians) but the reason Themistocles is considered important at Marathon is the lesson he took away from it. Athens won Marathon because Athens attacked Persia before they were ready (Hoplites did a quick short distance sprint at marathon, likely sprint a few meters then walk, then sprint, then walk, ect), before they could unload their cavalry, even if they could the terrain at Marathon would have made it impossible to properly use cavalry (cavalry do not like head on charges, especially against heavy spear wielding infantry). The lesson was that Athens beat Persia not due to having better infantry but because Athens disallowed Persia to have their infantry supported (no time to unload the horses and no good space to use them). As well Themistocles correctly guessed that Persia would be back thus he lied to the Athenian government that an island state was threatening Athenian trade (the lie that build a navy, the lie that made Thermopylae possible, the lie that saved democracy). As for the Persians not using their cavalry and archers, well they did use archery it just wasn't all that effective against the heavy armor of the Hoplite (arrows cannot penetrate solid metal and Hoplites had a really big solid shield). Cavalry however they didn't use mainly because they couldn't use cavalry. Terrain made it impossible at both battles. You cannot sent cavalry head on into heavy spear wielding infantry, they will be slaughtered. At Marathon the battle was fought right on the beach and the battlefield was flanked by both a swamp and mountain. Thermopylae was flanked by both sea and mountain. That said the Persian navy was winning at Artemisium (the Greeks and a good day 1 after that not so much). When the army got surrounded Themistocles took the navy back to Athens, told the Athenians that the wooden wall Zeus gave them was the navy, took most of the Athenians to Salamis, and once there beat the Persian navy by using the tide (there's a Korea admiral who did the same thing). The Greek coalition forces used terrain and tactics masterfully. Hoplites wouldn't be that cumbersome per say rather the phalanx was cumbersome, this is a lesson Rome learned and one of the reasons they changed from a phalanx to a checkerboard formation (phalanx vs legion -> battle of Cynoscephalae). Common misconception is that heavy armor is cumbersome and bulky, it's not true. Yes it can be more tiring to wear (more so if you're not conditioned to it) but you can still run, do jumping jacks, do push ups, get up off the ground, ect. Sorry if this seems a little disorganized I'm more then a few drinks in while typing this.

[@andreaskokkinoftas3770]

Thanks for your reply! I agree with you on the fact that Athens (and the Greeks in general) beat Persia due to strategic plans that prevented Persians to use their full army in conjunction with the terrain, rather than simply better infantry. The same goes for almost every battle in the two Persian invasions. However, one can argue that the hoplite was the perfect 'tool' to achieve this victories. Greeks capitalized on the unit's strongest points. As for Themistocles we mention him in the next episode. Regarding the weight of a hoplites armor and aspis, even if you argue that the individual unit was not so cumbersome (rather than the phalanx as a whole was cumbersome and slow), which I kind of agree, you have to take into account the sheer weight of the aspis, the helmet and the armour, as well as the fact that the average Greek back then had a height of approx. 165-170 cm (5f5 - 5f6). Furthermore, you have to keep in mind that in the Battle of Marathon Athens used their whole hoplite army, meaning men from all ages. You can imagine that the older hoplites were in their late 40s and 50s. I would say that it would be harder for them to sprint the entire distance, while the lack of constant drilling in the Athenian armies, in contrast with Sparta, could mean that their hoplites get tired easier. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and information!

[@ozman8247]

no envoys were harmed during the marking of this video

[@KingsandGenerals]

That is unfortunate.

[@htoodoh5770]

Luis Luis I don't know.

[@Daimon-X]

ozman This is Madness... MADNESS?!? THIS IS SPARTA!!!

[@ozman8247]

ikr, i was expecting envoys beheaded and put on spikes lol

[@thimization]

@@htoodoh5770 I think everyone here wants to see Mongols V Spartans

[@gianlucaborg195]

That intro...... I give it a 10/1 alone, deserving a like. Then, the rest of the video...... perfection, nothing better in the past, you have surpassed yourselves once again! If I where you, I would split the channel into two series, a general specific battle with the old format and this for army and style - p.s. I loved the hoplite in particular, giving an Age of Empires 1 feel. I also loved the level of detail - sfx, graphics, and everything. However, I will take the role of the captured barbarian on the chariot behind he who rides in front during a Triumph, "all glory is fleeting" - Don't step down from this glorious quality and dedication! KEEP IT UP! I also loved the use of sources like Heroditus, and their mentioning. It adds a special level of depth, if only for a few of us viewers. One thing, as far as I know there were more than just 300 Spartans..... there were actually 301, including the king himself, who took 300 guard and himself, hence 301 Spartans!

[@StewysGameplay]

The production quality of this channel is incredible.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Trying to improve all the time. Thank you for noticing and kind words.

[@chainadas6531]

@@KingsandGenerals Your channel is just like an oasis for history lover.

[@glovex9863]

@@KingsandGenerals i came from school im 10 im enjoying this 😎 😌

[@christermi]

There is a legend that tells that the Delfoi foretold that the city of Athens could only be saved by the wooden walls . Some Athenians considered this puzzle to be a sign that they needed to construct a wall around Acropolis ( Parthenon not yet built ) but Themistoclis realised that they needed to construct a large navy in order to defeat the Persians .

[@limnmark]

True. Themistokles was a great General. Indeed he saved Athens and whatever this means

[@parabelluminvicta8380]

he used his QI at maximum effect he was very very smart

[@MrChopstsicks]

Throwing spears not compatible to the phalanx formation. Romans: Hold my drink

[@KingsandGenerals]

:-)

[@Hadrexus]

Hold my amphora

[@breaden4381]

The Roman formation was a pretty open formation compared to a phalanx

[@lordaaron6332]

did the roman have phalanx though?

[@primalforlorn]

Yes, they use greek army tactics before rome got sacked by gauls, then due to the unwieldliness of phalanx in the Italian mountains where land were uneven for a phalanx to utilize to its full extent, they evolve their army into the maniple system( sorry if I spelt that wrong). Theorically phalanx is almost unbeatable on plains, the only expection is horse archers because horse archers beat everything at that time, especially a heavy infranty based army

[@linkpeet8413]

The animations look absolutely amazing!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@JeremyStittsandtheJourney]

Cool analysis, would love to see an evolution of the Roman army.

[@KingsandGenerals]

We will get there.

[@georgezachos7322]

So would I.

[@dardo1201]

The Metatron made an interactive video about that last year or so.

[@SwashbucklingToday]

You smoke ass

[@thurasan6664]

Fuck you

[@vinodvarghese78]

As always awesome work! Love the level of historic detail in your video.

[@derbrasilianer3024]

There is nothing better than watching one of your videos for the first time..

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for being with us!

[@oriffel]

goddamn! you guys are taking it up a level with this. love it!

[@Gyrosmeister]

The Kopis was mostly used by cavalry, due to the fact that it was a "one-way" lane when you wanted to cut when compared to the Xiphos. It was wide-spread amongst the cavalry because as the name suggests (the name kopis derives from the verb "to cut" in Greek) was very good at cutting off the arm or another body parts of the enemy which was beneficial for quick attacks from a mount, hence why Xenophon suggested it for mounted units. It was also used by infantry but for the most part, Hoplites prefered the Xiphos. Also the name "Hippeus" in that case actually suggested that they paid the horse for someone else to fight mounted, while the "Hippeus" was fighting on foot, as the true glory in Greek warfare was in the phalanx.

[@tomboerstra2533]

Awesome! More like this, please!

[@KingsandGenerals]

More on the way!

[@nikost3596]

looking forward for a peloponisian war (Spartan alliance vs Athenian Alliance)

[@KingsandGenerals]

We will get there :) thanks for watching.

[@gassanba5301]

We hope that you will add the Arabic language to the next section ونتمنى منكم كذالك اضافة اللغة العربية بالمقطع القادم

[@thisguy4345]

GASSAN BA No one wants that..

[@thefacelessnarrator]

New intro looks great, friends. Great content as always! In fact, this may be my favourite of your series so far - looking forward to the rest of them!

[@alexandrosstylianou426]

Very informative job guys. can't wait until the next one.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you, working on more!

[@VladTevez]

Wonderful presentation, well done!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you :) The second one will be even more epic.

[@GideonStahl]

A wonderful and very informative presentation. I learned some new facts on a subject that I really enjoy. Thank you for doing this and I hope to see more in this series about other periods. Keep up the great work!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you, good sir.

[@SwashbucklingToday]

I did s basd ffjbbjiddtf

[@Britain1251]

Great production value, I love that you try new things and keep the channel fresh

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks, more on the way? :-)

[@davidbagrationi199]

New format looks absolutely fantastic!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@timurthelamest5630]

Very interesting analysis. The Greeks were gradually becoming more Persian in their style of warfare by becoming more versatile and lighter by emphasising different troop types and lessening armour. No doubt, despite being victorious in Greece, they still would have suffered greatly to consider changing their military so drastically. They also would have recognised Persian dominance/advantage against the traditional hoplite force in less rugged terrains due to the conflicts they had in Egypt, Asia Minor and Northern Greece.

[@matthewkuchinski1769]

Great start to a new show. I really love learning about the evolution of Greece's military. I hope that you will cover the Medieval Russian Army.

[@KingsandGenerals]

We plan to have similar series for other armies :-)

[@matthewkuchinski1769]

The one army of Medieval Russia that always impresses me is that of Novgorod. That city was able to field the one of the best militias in the East, which helped them win the Battle of Lake Peipus along with a great cavalry arm.

[@matthewtilley7175]

Linothorax was used all the way through the hellenistic age. As far as i know according to Gregory Aldrette (University of Wisconsin Green Bay) the glued layers of linen was lighter to bronze and comparable protection and may have been preferred.

[@aidabagirova4933]

This is another level and style - excellent analysis, good animation, information, including for those who are interested in the strategy and tactics of the armies. I enjoyed viewing. Thank you, K&G

[@chainz983]

This is why i love this channel, i didnt know the hoplites were being outfitted with scaled armor. I always thought they stuck with pure bronze chest plates

[@KingsandGenerals]

To be honest, they never had a unified armor until the Macedonian period. But it slowly started changing over the time.

[@constantinexi9667]

As a history buff I am a huge fan of your channel. I recommend doing videos on Ancient Rome during the time of the kingdom prior to the republic.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you! We have many plans for this series.

[@vincewindeuycker3219]

Nice to have found another great history channel !!!! Keep up the good work...

[@Imrik]

As always, your videos are insightful. I look forward to the next.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@marcelopechowski4272]

I really like the music in this video. Very good for background. Calm but epic ;)

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@Manos_Plakias]

Another Great video!!! HELLAS 💗💗💗

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! :-)

[@NotableElectronicSounds]

been hyped for this one!

[@ioannakokkinofta4137]

A very informative video! Great job.

[@LancetFencing]

I've read an interesting thing about the Greek Dory. The Dory seemed different from most spears throughout time in that it is said that the Ash naturally split with a taper. Making its cross section more like a pool cue. being wider toward the rear and narrower toward the point. This combined with using iron for the spearhead and a heavier bronze for the styrax gave this spear a balance toward the rear. This makes sense because it would be important to manipulate the point with great accuracy using one hand as the other was being used to employ the Hopolos. It would also explain why the spears suffered breakage toward the point. There are also examples of this spear having a wrapped handle area at the point of balance or rather just behind it, which is why the Dory was a much more technique oriented weapon than most other spears before or after. If this is true it stands to reason that this gave the greeks a great advantage that is little known or at least spoken of but of great value. this kind of balance is found in almost all later swords.

[@mohamedamri1742]

great video as always . i would love to see one on Catharge and the Tactics made bei Hannibal

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! There will be more!

[@vasiliykolebanov845]

Great job! I like this format and the subject. Keep it up! :)

[@KingsandGenerals]

This will not replace our weekly videos. Additional series to keep you guys edutained.

[@lukezuzga6460]

This was awesome! Greek/Persian History is one of my favorite and you's did it well. So nice catching you guys today and not having to wait till Sun.

[@KingsandGenerals]

More on Sunday. :-)

[@lukezuzga6460]

Kings and Generals Looking forward to it!

[@Ioannis_Moraitis]

Although I am a historian and Greek (I like Byzantine and Islamic history and of course the Mongols, rather than Ancient Greece and Hellenistic history), I didn't know that the ancients called their shields ''hoplon'' (όπλον, which now means ''weapon'') and not ''aspis'' (ασπίς-ασπίδα), nice. Congrats for the new series and good luck! ps: the letter ''x'' in the word ''xiphos'' is prounounced ''ks'' not ''z'' as you pronounce the letter ''x'' in the alphabet, to wit ''eks'' :)

[@RexOedipus.]

No you're correct. The shield is called an aspis. It was a common misconception at the time to call it a hoplon and it just stuck until now

[@georgekorros5659]

Great video i really enjoyed it i hope you will dedicate a video in the evoulution of the Macedonian army during alexanders campaing which in my opinion is the most complex army of the greek era

[@KingsandGenerals]

Yes, it is planned down the road.

[@ducktator5421]

Very solid and detailed analysis. Looking forward to more Armies and Tactics videos.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks, more on the way.

[@kalashnikov5038]

Absolutely loving it, no doubt it will make the channel grow even more! :D

[@KingsandGenerals]

Hopefully. :-)

[@tellmeaboutit691]

Believe it or not, I was watching clips from "300" before this popped out

[@queldron]

If only they have stayed united..

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Apolytos if persian never met greecs :) Europe was living in wild now .reality is here

[@shatter6012]

Wild? On those ages everh nation was wild ...

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Shatter Me not messopotamia and Egypt, all nations of Europe... This is our history you should belive it

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Asmoh أسموح you are not even educated, go trough history books and investigate what you belive I'm lying about, forget bbc and wiki and Hollywood if you need facts .all 20 nations city states of Greece up until 500 bc were running naked,killing each other with spears and raiding homes in ancient greece (expect Athen& knorssos This is dated only 500 years bc where the last messopotamia empire and first persian empire started has rised 100 years allready , name anything you see arround you all started at messopotamia civilization. This are the first things you learn after starting with professional history studies at university. If you don't like hearing stuff you won't hear then better stop commenting about them .

[@queldron]

You forgot to mention the Mycenaean Greeks who had a high civilization status centuries before 850 BC. At 500 BC Greeks were already started to getting ahead of their neighbours. Not in all aspects of life but some of them and they gradually surpassed them in most.

[@DanielLee_2304]

Great video, guys, looking forward to more videos like these

[@KingsandGenerals]

There will be more, and yes, we will talk about the Praetorians. :-)

[@romulusremus6912]

Thank you for your documentaries. They are excellent.

[@naufalfarris8599]

I've have passed many bad luck's this week, I feel desperate, AND THEN THE KINGS AND GENERALS UPLOADED

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@antic2347]

These videos are fantastic, will this series also include the Persian army. I would like to see the types of Persian soldiers the Greeks would have faced in this war.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks. The idea is to eventually move to the East and cover the armies starting with Mesopotamia, through the Achaemenid and Sassanid empires all the way to the Safavids and even Afshar and Qajar. Not sure when, but it will happen.

[@danharris8805]

Another great video. Thank you. Very interesting :)

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@rayanhey2411]

I cannot wait for another episode of this serie .

[@KingsandGenerals]

Soon, hopefully. :-)

[@FreedomFighter08]

The Persian army was able to conquer everything from Egypt, Saudi arabian coastline, Scythian territory to India because of the army tactics they were developing, these tactics didn't exist before during the pre-empire period when the Medes and Persians were fighting one another. After the Persians defeated the medes and united iranians tribes all over the iranian peninsula and formed the Achaemenid empire, it was not until then proper tactics and military were formed. With archers at the back, Sparbara units in front and cavalry to the flanks which proved to be very successful in the east were they could utilize the open terrain. These tactics proved not so useful in greek landscapes and against Greek tactics. Still Greeks & Romans suffered decisive defeats against the later Persian dynasties in Seleucid-Parthian wars, Roman-Parthian wars, Roman-Sasanian wars, Byzantine-Sasanian wars due to upgraded persian military reforms and the birth of the persian cataphract.

[@aleksk4151]

it is true . the Persians did incredible well against the Roman attacks and with the Byzantine empire too

[@Hostility1812]

Better and better every time

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@whyistherumgone5693]

New animations are really good. You guys are getting better.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much! More on the way!

[@ravager890]

Nice video guys.. Look forward fro the naval tactics on your next video. Cheers.!!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@acmaiden5236]

Great video! I've been doing a marathon (pun intended) of persian-greco war and still learned a bunch of things here! My only complain, is that you didn't mention the immortals, which is the key information I was looking for. My only reference to them is 300 and I discovered recently that these guys were not accurate ... at all xD

[@moulayismail1546]

:) you are the best

[@KingsandGenerals]

thank you :)

[@RickyBobby_USA]

I really appreciate this vid.

[@mikelurbin]

Your channel is fantastic! Great job!!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much!

[@blakops000007]

Everyone knows about the Greeks and their formations but I'm much more curious about the Persians as their combat style was different than the usual Greek infantry based armies.

[@omidjj7864]

@@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt shut the fuck up we have the biggest empire Of all time but u only wrote history so it is not important for us ass u can see Persian empire and greece in maps. Greese is like a roach and Persia is a lion😚

[@dudel39]

@@omidjj7864 lol so triggered, he was just joking...

[@user-ue6yc9kr8i]

3000 years and there are still butthurt people about this. Ts ts ts.

[@Nighthammer66]

The problem is that our only informations about the Persian military come from greek writers like Herodotus or archaeological founds. And Herodotus was kind of an athenian propagandist. The Battle of marathon for example: The numbers of casualties and participated units on persian side, the propagated ineffectiveness of the Persian army (especially the carvalry) in that battle, the myths and legends about the hoplites sprinting towards the enemy, the size of the battle. Theopomp (also a Greek writer) assumed that the marathon battle was just a small skirmish on the beach and nothing more.

[@shapurthegreat8314]

omid jj برادرجان چرا اینگونه واکنش نشان دادی؟

[@evershumor1302]

That intro is soooo awesome. How did you make that?

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! Maya.

[@ancientgreekworld1705]

A great video guys. Thank you very much

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@tg1982]

Great video, a lot of interesting information, thank you very much for your effort.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@0MVR_0]

"Who laconically replied..." I see what you did there.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@adamfrazer5150]

I think I missed a meeting at some point - I've been saying 'Hop-lights' (okay, I'll be honest, not saying, thinking it). I'm embarrassed. Is there a support group or safe space for recovering mispronoucers ?

[@adamfrazer5150]

@Charlie Sumner thanks Charlie, appreciate the knowledge man 👍🍻

[@seanpecson3901]

I was here since pre-hundred thousand subs. This show is getting better every time!!!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you, good sir! :-)

[@nikm1856]

it was amazing , nice job!!!👍🏻

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@huss4783]

I would love to see a similar video on the Persian armies and tactics. this video was very poor in terms of specifying the Sparabara as the main fighting force in the Achaemenid empire, they were just a part of one of the many tactics in the Persian army and never were meant to hold against enemies for prolonged periods of time.The Sparabara usually formed a single line. A wall of wicker shields to protect the archers behind from incoming missiles which was very useful in eastern battles with other eastern armies. At Marathon there were heavy Persian units in the middle which gave a very tough fight. but their allies on the flanks abandoned their positions which lead them being encircled.

[@KingsandGenerals]

We are planning to cover more cultures in future. :-)

[@andreaskokkinoftas3770]

There were heavy infantry Persian units, as well as archers and other unit types, but the Sparabara were the ones who couldnt mainly cope. The Persians lost because the Sparabara were lightly armored and were meant to hold for a short period of time until the cavalry flanked the attacking force. The Greeks prevented that second part by using the landscape to their advantage.

[@friedrichhayek8628]

Yes because that was part of Miltiades tactics. He knew how the Persians fought ( he served as mercenary-ally at Persian army) . He puts more hoplites in the flanks and less in the center. The heavy Greek flanks overflank the Persians while the weak Greek center defend from the heavy Persian center. Archers was ineffective at the heavy armoured Greek hoplites.

[@Weisser69420]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. Can someone please explain to me how the phalanx actually kills someone OR how it is defeated. I highly doubt that people would run into the spears or attempt to get past the layers of spears facing them. Additionally, I feel that the formation would be too slow to actually catch someone.

[@the_dropbear4392]

Well you have to fight them at some point

[@acmaiden5236]

The phalanx is like a shield wall, and they used 2 layers of spears, (5 layers in the case of pikes). The shield wall provides good defense while the multiple layers of spear is really hard to get trough. It is slow moving indeed but it shines in chokepoints, like at Thermopylea.

[@vasileiospapazoglou2362]

Man they were not chasing the people if you leave the battlefield it means you lost. It was a spartan rule you don't chase the enemy because you will break the phalanx. Therefore there is no famous warriors in classical Greece only generals. Phalanx was a teamwork not a solo work.

[@adrianyoung926]

Excellent. Thank you

[@franciscocabral2701]

thank god you are back

[@KingsandGenerals]

We never went anywhere.

[@ArrowsandBulletsDely]

LMAO 4:52 the subtitles: In an ancient dialogue between an Athenian and a Spartan hot latte

[@glovex9863]

Ok?

[@FredericoASousa]

10:01 videos, just how I like them xD

[@Nugeorge]

Now we're talking. More of this. Great video!

[@KingsandGenerals]

It will not be limited to armies only. We will talk about tactics and strategies as well.

[@phillipbriere9720]

Great Video! Good Job!

[@KingsandGenerals]

There will be more!

[@hoangkimviet8545]

0:38 Wow, look! Ancient Greece was much smaller than Persian empire :-0

[@gerrystreet1745]

Well, the Persian King Cyrus were called King of Four Corners of the World for some reason. When Alexander conquers the Achaemenid he literally conquers the known world (to the Greeks) and push further into the Indian Subcontinent

[@asianboy969]

but their cultural are more popular than them

[@DialSquareRvP10]

it's just proof how bigger aint always better. Look at Russia, they're not the richest today; or in the seventeenth century how the Dutch were the richest on the planet with fleets everywhere.

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Hoàng Kim Việt still is 😂

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Gerry Street Alexander basicly did not conquer Georgia and scythia, so still did not conqured more than greate Persian empire, such huge empire toke Persians 300 years to conquer ,Alexander could not so all that in 12 years , and meaning Alexander conquered all the way to india ,that's where the borders of Ayana lands and Hindustan is visible ,the same Indian dynasty stoped Persians to enter India 300 years before Alexander comes to power.

[@closeriusfildius9634]

not sure if Themistocles commanded forces in the battle of Marathon. Miltiades, his political rival leaded the infantry charge.

[@packr72]

There were 10 Athenian generals at Marathon. It was Miltiades idea to attack the Persians but there’s no evidence he was the overall commander or polemarch.

[@ChaosXeronix]

Awesome Videos guys. Keep up the good work

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@rafaelsocarras1128]

Well done! I love this new series. I'd like to suggest the evolution of the Late Roman Army (Comitatenses/Limetanei, etc.) as an episode in this series.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! Yes, that is planned.

[@finalprophet813]

Good video though, honestly it would of been much better had you began with either the ancient Mesopotamian/near eastern/Egyptian armies/Assyrian armies, that would of been much better and accurate depiction of ancient armies development and innovation. Seeing they were older civilisations compared to Ancient Greece.

[@gerrystreet1745]

That would depends on availability of records and translation

[@basilofgoodwishes4138]

Gerry Street There is more than enough for it and they are much easier, so it's even better to learn first about them and then the Greeks.

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Final Prophet i wonder how even greecs merjed together, was't that a work of xerxes who merjed all central and northern Greece to one Satrapi? Who else could put europian hands on same table? have western media explaned that to kids? Or only shows 300 Sparta vs barbars... greecs just opened their mind and eyes seeing Persians and their technology and culture ,which was the combination of all ancient civilaziotions (Egyptian ,Babylon,Assyrian,Aryan and Ilamate) if Persians did not met greecs to show them what's life and culture and kingdom and all that, not even greec but entire Europe would be living in 3d world today. It's that simple if media tells every detailed about ancient world before macedonian invation of the world.

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Iron Warrior that's what is remained , Mesopotamian civilization is adopted by almost 90% by all europian, north African and western Asian nations only becouse their strong civilization, and culture, science and militery in all ancient and classical era. Dated almost 40 000 years back at the time atlantis were still dry egyptians & shumerians (the first of messopotamia) with 11 000 years of civilization just started their nations, learned all of everything from the forgotten world and a few tusand years later, First europians arrived only 4 000 years ago at end of the last ice age who were the party of scythian ppl moved to Europe to settle down on anatolia and southern Greece ilands by 2300 bc Again western media is killing our history and basicly giving fake facts writen by some new age students of 1980 who also started with some Interesting Greece stories and try to cover entire media with western dominance.

[@finalprophet813]

tjah shawn yes that is 100% the near east/ancient Mesopotamia etc is the real “Cradle of western civilisation” & ancient China is the cradle of eastern civilisation. The knowledge of Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, ancient Babylon & Persia etc was adopted by the Greeks, a lot of it was being spread into the Mediterranean by the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians via trading etc & later on by the Persians. The Romans themselves adopted knowledge off the Greeks who had adopted their knowledge prior via the civilisations mentioned above, later the Romans combined knowledge of the ancient middle eastern/Mediterranean empires it had conquered. The history we are taught is a revisionist style of history. Only some historians have started to write books explaining the true history of all major advancement in history. The history we are taught today was mainly a product of the 18th century Northern European colonial powers who later published these books and put them in major English speaking Universities in the world. They also created a myth that modern day “western civilisation” is a continuation of Ancient Greece, which is a blatant lie, anyone that studies history can see today’s western civilisation really begins in the end of the 17th century. The reason they created this narrative is the Northern Europeans like the Germanic tribes, Anglos etc had no advanced civilisation from the days of Sumer 6,000bc, till the end of the 1400s CE. This created a insecurity for the 18th century Northern & North Western European colonial powers, when they read history, it showed that they had minimal influence in the world prior to the 15th century. More evidence of them not being a continuation of the Greeks or the Romans, is simple. After rome fell in the middle of the 5th century, what did Western & Northern Europeans do for nearly a millennium from the 5th century till the 1400s they played no major role in advancement. Which shows you they were not a continuation of the Greeks or Romans who were a unique Mediterranean empire that conquered Western Europe. It was later on during the Arab Muslim civilisations in Iberian peninsula, Sicily & Mediterranean in general that Arabic manuscripts were being translated into Latin from the 11th century to the 14th century, this helped them spring into the renaissance. These manuscripts were a mixture of old Persian, Greek, Syriac works, but also many innovated Arabic works, & also many original Arabic works which helped influence the modern world, one example was ibn haytham “Book of optics” written in the 11th century, the Latin translation of the Arabic work, was still being used in Northern Europe in the 1650s CE.

[@jamestang1227]

Kinga dn Gennerals can into intro!

[@KingsandGenerals]

:-)

[@nikolaoskoutzailias9558]

Keep the good work

[@jimidoug4564]

Brilliant work guys

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much! :-)

[@TucknRoll34]

So wait, what did the square piece of cloth that hung from the hoplites shield do exactly?

[@georgezachos7322]

TucknRoll34 I think a combination of things. For one, it obscured the movements of the sword behind it, once the spear could not be used, allowing for hidden strikes. It also would assist in deflecting enemy strikes somewhat. I can see many uses actually.

[@andreaskokkinoftas3770]

It had a number of uses but most notably for deflecting arrows coming from a high angle. The extensive use of archers by the persians was what probably made the greeks start using this method

[@giorgosxatzis9658]

It made them look like a Wall and it also served as minor protection

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

Blocking shots from the legs, try it with a peace of cloth ,hold the corners and create waves on its middle ,it will work like armadilo shield will block the arrows from crossing the cloth ,would not work as a armadilo metal shield but would dodge arround 4 of 10 arrows from going trough the legs .

[@primalforlorn]

I think it absorb the force of the arrow so it won’t pierce through the leg, try to cover a knife with a thick cloth and push it against a wall or your friend, it will hurt a little but it won’t cause any serious injuries

[@hiukas.]

Psiloi in modern Greek means the tall ones

[@KingsandGenerals]

Huh, good to know. :-)

[@christermi]

or the skinny ones ( ψιλός )

[@nikosmpousioutis4852]

No, psiloi means light-armored. Ελαφρά οπλισμένοι. Don't confuse with modern greek

[@AbdulHadi-tr2zl]

Thank you for documentary

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@llhants1]

These videos are amazing

[@KingsandGenerals]

That is what we were going for. :-)

[@Anonymous_UserOrNot]

Just to know.. In greek language "oi", "ei", "ui", "u" , "i" are pronounced "e" (like the e sound in the word b *ee* ).. Also it is false when you pronounce the X at the start of a word as "z".. In greek at least. It's just "x". (like the x in the word parado *x* )

[@SwashbucklingToday]

I will pee in your Greek ass

[@user-st8zd9sb4k]

Proud of my country and my nation ΖΗΤΩ Η ΕΛΛΑΣ

[@scofield1154]

Κρυφο Πασοκτζης But you didnt do anything, why are you proud ?

[@e.d9993]

This is the history you and other Greeks should be proud of instead of Orthodox christian Byzantine empire which was founded by Romans not by Greeks.

[@Avon45]

Founded by Romans, yet by the end it was more Greek than anything else.

[@e.d9993]

Yes they adopted Greek as their official language only because of Christianity and they weren't similar to ancient Greece since they didn't held up the values that shaped the ancient Greece and influenced our world.

[@user-st8zd9sb4k]

Michael Scofield bcz we are the continuation of those people who lived here for centuries , anyway I'm not obliged to explain to y why we have to feel proud or not for stuff like that

[@IceArcher100]

Nice surprise to see a channel cite sources!

[@normancomeau371]

love the character images that give insight into armour evolution. 1000 words could not be as effective. Compilations of many videos showing only soldiers armour styles would be interesting

[@SwashbucklingToday]

A human phallus

[@limnmark]

Mother of Tactics, all types of science, athleticism, logic thought, mother of the Roman Empire and general civilization. I wonder what would have happened if the mighty persian empire had passed from Greece

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

limnmark are you dreaming ? You should know everything comes to Europe by Persians a combination off all you named (science,culture & etc)out of messopotamia and Egypt and india trough out the persian empire to europe, i know you are not historian but this is it.

[@gertmoelders8809]

You have a very Eurocentric vision of history. The Persian Empire was a much better place to live than ancient Greece

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

gert moelders tablet of Cyrus [how to become an emperor] was the first persian influence on both seleucied and Roman empire existence that been kept in Alexandria library other than that why if Europe was above ancient middleeast ,how come Europe started their first official empire right after Cyrus 's dynasty fell? Which was the youngest empire of entire ancient world. How these timings tell the truth amazes me , 300 000 years of human civilization, why if the greecs were advanced than Persians only at that time greecs did all they became right after Persian invation of Greece ? Greecs started wearing cloths right after Persian invation, eating cooked food and riding horses on battlefield and shooting arrows and meeting women instead of a lawless life of ancient greece... we all know that

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

BlackStar Nae if you belive today's world had adopted more of Greece that messopotamia you should put time to study , since ancient greece learn everything from ancient middleeast after the conquest of macedon not before that.

[@friedrichhayek8628]

tjah shawn Nope, of course and Persia and middle East had very magnificent civilizations but Greece as well. Plato, Socrates, Aristarchus, Democritus,Aristotle, Pericles, Homer, Euclides, Pindarus, Hippocrates, Thales, Pythagoras, Herodotus, Thukidedes, Protagoras , Aristophanes, Eschylus, Solon , Klisthenes (father of democracy) , pre socratic philosophers and many others I can't write them because they are lot's of then was decade years or eons before the Macedonian conquest of the Persian empire. Of course ancient Greeks respected Persian civilization and Persian civilization the Greek one, but that's you are writing are historical incorrect.

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

The persian conquest of Alexander was done with 6 main arms : 1- religious war of Persian empire(zartust V Manay) 2-west Persian armies number of rojan Persian units towards the Anatolian Greece mercenaries were 1/3. The first 2 battles lost easily to greecs by the fact that mercenaries of Persian side could not communicate with the king Daryus during the battle field + the stability of mainland persia squads were much better and had a imperial order in it . 3- the king avoided to use his imperial army against macedonians at the first 2 battles thinking these greecs are the same unstable greek armies trying to sack a few towns of persia or achieve a glory for their homes. 4- Daryus III to become the king of Persia has ordered to assassinate entire war generals and most of the early persian govenors to be able to put the crown. (Had the crown for 3 year only) This forced himself who basicly was a businessman and never fought in any battle by himself before sitting on the chair of kingdom,he completely unexperienced in strategy mind and battlefield led all battles vs macedonians greate general Alexander. 5- Armenian Provience started to gather their own men to stand against the Daryus III, ppl he lives the new king is not honored to the lows of the grand Persian empire and he was a selfish man. 6- and last ,but not least ,a war master who knows much about early Persian empire and their militery ,son of an other greate warlord (Philip II) and also a non hostage nation which Persians has all ready defeated and now left to deal with busy with their civilwars at Europe mina for arround 90 years after the last greate battle between the two won by Persia, he belived that these Small nations wont have any big plan against the empire. This conquest if is only explained by the Greece noter as a single job of 21 old Alexander, is been explained with much more detailed in the Egyptian and Persian notes and paintings left by the time. The belive of a single Alexander being the only fact of culaption of the greatest empire is a myth created by some western media ,anti Muslim or what ever,history is remained not imagened. History of ancient middle east is history of all of human civilization, all the way in till the macedonian invation of the ancient world. Let me know if anyone ever heard of these in the western media :) before, thx for reading :)

[@ginyu5009]

muslims didnt exist that time nice try tho

[@KeyhaneBishomar]

@@wankawanka3053 🤣ok

[@gaiuscaeruliusverusallectu3998]

Interestingly, the kausia hat shown at 6:19, is the ancestor of the Afghan hat, and was a native Ancient Macedonian hat which was very popular by the time of Alexander. Ancient Persians called the Macedonians 'Yauna Takabara' which means 'Greeks with hats that look like shields' in Old Persian. The hat came to Afghanistan in c. 330 BCE with Alexander's army and was worn by many Greco-Bactrian kings subsequently and survived in mainly Nuristan province thereafter, before quickly spreading again.

[@georgethanos7700]

GOOD WORK!

[@persianrisk]

the only great time of greek history, rest of the time they get conquered :D

[@davidbagrationi199]

Byzantines: TRIGGERED

[@EDANAiRoNY1]

byzantine is roman, peasents were greeks for dirty jobs

[@persianrisk]

yes brother i am persian

[@shawnchinnery663]

persianrisk , You seem sad that these wee Greeks smoked your culture. Cheers mate, enjoy learning Arabic.

[@eurosensazion]

Truly you need to read more history. You may be Persian but Greeks were also on Persian armies side. This war was significant because of what it did to human civilization. It's one of those era's that led to a enlightenment and burst in advancement in sciences, maths, philosophy, war tech etc. But Greek civilization was long into the Hellenistic Age and even during Roman was an important area which later was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the East for almost 1000 years after the collapse of Rome itself. Even after that and the fall of Constantinople that classics were saved and taken to Italy and the Ottomans used them to advance their Empire again in fields of science, math, architecture etc.

[@Killjoy97_]

This is amazing.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@fujisan92]

I've been following this channel for awhile and I'm impressed with the presentation of this documentaries although there is one question I want to asks. Since you covered every period of warfare known all over the war, do you have any chance to make a documentary about the Japanese Boshin War of 1868-1869 perhaps?

[@TacticalMetalJoegaming]

This new style is really good.