Ancient Greek Warfare
History · 3 hrs Lecture
No prerequisites listed, you can take this course without prior coursework.
Description
This course introduces students to the aspects of warfare in the Greek world. Students are exposed to key literary sources, like the historians Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, and Polybius; poets and dramatists like Homer, Tyrtaeus, Aeschylus and Sophocles; and military manuals like Xenophon's Cyropaedia, Aeneas Tacticus' Tactica, and Philo Mechanicus' On Sieges. Students consider alternative bodies of evidence, like the physical remains of Greek fortifications. Key themes include the origins of the phalanx, the impact of warfare on the physical and mental wellbeing of soldiers, the place of the Peloponnesian War in Greek history, and the logistical capabilities of Alexander's army.
Restrictions
Students may not hold credit for this course and CLAS-2951.
Cross-listed
CLAS-2951(3).
From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.