Military History of the Classical Greek World from Udemy

Hello and welcome to Military History of the Classical Greek World. This course will cover Western Military History from approximately 500 BC/BCE to 500 AD/CE. With this lecture series we will be starting with the defining military science terms, then moving to the Greek classical period starting with the Persian Wars as fought between The Greek City States and Persia. We will then discuss in Section 2 , the Peloponnesian War in which Sparta and Athens fought each other for control of the Greek world, before moving to the conquests of Alexander the Great in Section 3.

For anyone interested in taking this class, there are a couple things to know. Firstly, this course is for people who have at least a basic background in history, especially the classical Mediterranean world. While I will be spending a little bit of time quickly summarizing the backgrounds to certain conflicts and going into the histories of certain people groups, my main focus with this course will be on the conflicts themselves - individuals and states involved, the weapons and armor used, tactics and organization of armies, how the wars themselves played out, and the strategic significance of the outcomes. Throughout the series, I will also stop to address the overarching changes in military technology that took place over this very notable 200-year period.

Throughout all of my lectures, I am going to be using a fair amount of terminology that while very common within the military and the fields of military history and military science, may not be widely known to people who have never studied any of those topics. So in a brief introductory lesson offered in tandem with the main lectures, I will cover the basic definitions of certain military terms and concepts that appear in my lectures. Also please note, unless specifically stated. If you are already familiar with certain military terms and concepts such as what a flanking attack is, what a casualty rate measures, what tactics are, what strategy is, the difference between tactics and strategy, the difference between conscripts & militia etc., you will have no problem understanding this course. If you are not clear on some or all of even the example terms I listed, but are interested in taking this course please make sure to check out my introductory lesson on military terminology.

This course is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about the classical world, as well as a section of military history and the study of war in general.

Aside from being extremely interesting, I find that by understanding military history, one is able to have a much better grasp of the ways in which states rise and fall, and cultures become dominant or are diminished. Moreover, I find that by understanding war, people can apply the same principles of working to achieve victory to problems or tasks in life. After all, whether one is looking to win a specific battle, or complete a possibly career-starting project, concepts such as achieving objectives, developing a cohesive long-term strategy, and understanding tactics in order to accomplish specific tasks are perfectly applicable in both situations. So without any further ado, let us begin.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the conflicts of the classical greek world.
Apply their understanding of war to situations in daily life.

Explain why certain people groups and states were able to become dominant or were destroyed.

Understand the conflicts of the classical greek world.
Apply their understanding of war to situations in daily life.
Explain why certain people groups and states were able to become dominant or were destroyed.

Syllabus

The Athenian Empire

The Road to War

Military Innovations

In this lecture, students will learn about the various authors and sources that have provided the historical information for the sections on the Persian Wars and Peloponnesian War.

Now that you have finished the introduction on Military Terminology, check to see how familiar you now are with some terms.

Review the makeup of the Greek forces.

Review defining elements of the Persian forces.

With this quiz you can review some main reasons by which the Greeks were able to achieve victory in the war.

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Explores the strategic implications of conflicts, which allows learners to understand the rise and fall of states and the dominance or diminishment of cultures

Examines the overarching changes in military technology that took place over a notable 200-year period, which is useful for understanding military history

Requires learners to have a basic background in history, especially the classical Mediterranean world, which may exclude learners without prior knowledge

Uses terminology common within the military and the fields of military history and military science, which may be difficult for learners without prior exposure

Covers Western Military History from approximately 500 BC/BCE to 500 AD/CE, which is a standard period for military history courses

Reviews summary

Military history of classical greece

According to learners, this course provides a detailed and engaging exploration of the military history of the Classical Greek world, covering major conflicts like the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War. Students frequently highlight the instructor's passion and deep expertise as a key strength, making the lectures informative and insightful. The course is appreciated for its in-depth coverage of specific battles and strategic concepts, as well as its clear explanations of military terminology through a dedicated introductory lesson. While the material is considered well-structured, some reviewers note that a basic prior understanding of classical history is helpful.

Helpful to have prior history knowledge.

"It helps if you come into the course with some understanding of the general history of the period."

"While accessible, having a basic history background makes it easier to follow the context."

"Recommend doing some basic reading on classical Greece before starting."

Highlights applicable strategic lessons.

"Found the discussions on strategy and logistics particularly interesting and relevant."

"The analysis of why certain states succeeded or failed was insightful."

"Showcases strategic principles that still have value today."

Explains key military concepts clearly.

"The introductory lecture on military terms was incredibly useful."

"Appreciated the clear definitions provided for concepts like tactics and strategy."

"Helped me get up to speed on the language used in military history."

Provides in-depth historical coverage.

"The course goes into great detail on the major battles and campaigns."

"I learned so much about the strategies and tactics used in these ancient conflicts."

"Provides a thorough look at key moments like Thermopylae and Salamis..."

Delivered by a knowledgeable expert.

"The lecturer is passionate and clearly an expert in the field..."

"The instructor's deep understanding of military history made the course truly stand out."

"Really enjoyed the professor's insights and engaging delivery style."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Military History of the Classical Greek World with these activities:

Review Ancient Greek Geography

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Familiarize yourself with the geography of Ancient Greece to better understand the strategic implications of battles and campaigns discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Geography

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Locate major city-states like Athens, Sparta, and Corinth on a map.
Identify key geographical features such as mountains, seas, and plains.
Research how geography influenced military strategies.

Review 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu

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Broaden your understanding of military strategy by exploring Sun Tzu's classic work on warfare.

View The Concise Art of War (Concise Classics) on Amazon

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Read key chapters from 'The Art of War' focusing on strategy and tactics.
Identify principles that are applicable to the conflicts covered in the course.
Reflect on how these principles might have influenced the outcomes of battles.

Review 'The Landmark Thucydides'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the Peloponnesian War by reading Thucydides' account, a primary source for the period.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read selections from 'The Landmark Thucydides' focusing on key battles and events.
Take notes on Thucydides' analysis of the war's causes and consequences.
Compare Thucydides' account with modern interpretations of the war.

Four other activities

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Debate the Strategic Decisions

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Enhance your critical thinking skills by debating the strategic decisions made by military leaders during key battles.

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Form a study group with other students in the course.
Select a battle and assign roles to each member (e.g., Athenian general, Spartan king).
Debate the strategic decisions made by each side, considering the available resources and information.

Create a Timeline of Key Battles

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Solidify your understanding of the chronological order of events by creating a visual timeline of major battles and conflicts.

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Research the dates and significance of key battles covered in the course.
Create a visual timeline using online tools or presentation software.
Add brief descriptions of each battle and its outcome.

Map out Battle Strategies

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Reinforce your understanding of military tactics by diagramming the strategies used in famous battles.

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Select a battle covered in the course, such as Marathon or Thermopylae.
Research the troop deployments and maneuvers used by each side.
Create a map illustrating the battle's key movements and strategies.

Write a Blog Post on Military Innovations

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Deepen your knowledge of military technology by writing a blog post about innovations during the Classical Greek period.

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Research military innovations, such as hoplite armor or naval tactics.
Write a blog post explaining the innovation and its impact on warfare.
Include images or diagrams to illustrate the innovation.

Career center

Learners who complete Military History of the Classical Greek World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

A historian researches, analyzes, and interprets the past. This career path often involves specializing in a particular period or topic, such as the classical world, which is covered in this course about the Military History of the Classical Greek World. A historian may work in academia, museums, archives, or as a consultant. This course can be helpful to a future historian, as it provides a foundation in the military history of the Greek classical period, which directly aligns with the kind of work involved in this career. The course's focus on the conflicts themselves – including the people and states involved, the weapons and armor used, the tactics and organization of armies, how the wars themselves played out, and their strategic significance – provides deep knowledge, valuable to a historian. It also covers the changes in military technology during the period covered, including specific conflicts such as the Persian Wars, and the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens, which are critical areas of research for a historian.

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Museum curator

A museum curator manages collections of artifacts, often specializing in a particular area or period. A curator researches the historical context of artifacts, plans exhibits, and works to educate the public. The Military History of the Classical Greek World course provides a deep understanding of the period, which may be helpful for a curator who specializes in that specific era. The course's focus on the military conflicts of the time and the people involved in them is great preparation for a curator. The course's study of military technology, such as weapons and armor, is something that a museum curator could be tasked with understanding. Furthermore, the course's focus on topics such as the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the conquests of Alexander the Great, offers important subject matter for a museum curator.

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Archivist

An archivist is responsible for managing and preserving historical records and documents. They organize and catalog materials, making them accessible for research. The Military History of the Classical Greek World course may help an archivist with a broad understanding of a specific historical period. An archivist who specializes in the classical era would greatly benefit from the knowledge of military terminology covered in the course, as well as the course's focus on specific conflicts like the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the conquests of Alexander the Great. The course's discussion of the people, the states, the military technology, and the strategic implications will be most useful, as these topics may be part of the documents and other materials handled by an archivist

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Military Analyst

A military analyst studies military strategy, tactics, and technology. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or private companies. This course in Military History of the Classical Greek World may provide a foundational background in military thought. The course includes an introductory lesson on basic military terminology, and this basic information helps lay the groundwork for more advanced studies of military theory. The discussion of the states, the strategies, and the military technology of the Greek classical period, including specific conflicts like the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, are all necessary for a budding military analyst. The course's lessons on the strategic significance of conflicts, and the differences between tactics and strategy are all particularly relevant.

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Intelligence Analyst

An intelligence analyst gathers and analyzes information to provide insights on national security issues. This career requires a sharp understanding of historical and political contexts, as well as a knowledge of military strategy and tactics. The Military History of the Classical Greek World may be useful because it covers a major historical period and discusses conflicts, military organization, and strategic thinking, all of which are relevant to an intelligence analyst's work. The course’s focus on the causes of the wars, and their strategic implications, could be useful to an intelligence analyst. The course provides a deep dive into specific conflicts, such as the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, which may improve an intelligence analyst's perspective.

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Professor

A professor teaches college or university-level courses, conducts research, and mentors students. A professor must have a deep understanding of a particular subject, such as the military history of the classical world, covered in this course. The Military History of the Classical Greek World course may help a future professor specialize in the classical period, or in military history. The course’s coverage of the people, states, military strategies, and technologies, and its focus on specific conflicts like the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the conquests of Alexander the Great, make this course highly relevant. An aspiring professor will find the course's deep dives into the historical context, as well as the strategic implications of the wars covered to be particularly valuable. A professor typically needs an advanced degree.

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Political Scientist

A political scientist studies political systems and behavior, often conducting research and writing articles. A political scientist may benefit from a broad understanding of history, as well as the strategic implications of past events. The Military History of the Classical Greek World course may help a political scientist study how conflicts influence political dynamics. The course describes the strategic implications of specific conflicts such as the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the conquests of Alexander the Great making this course extremely relevant to this kind of work. A political scientist may find the course's treatment of the rise and fall of states, and the dynamics of dominance and diminution, to be particularly relevant.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze policies to make recommendations to government organizations or non-profits. A policy analyst may benefit from a strong understanding of history, strategic thinking, and conflict. The Military History of the Classical Greek World course may be helpful for this, as it provides a historical case study of conflict, and the strategic implications of past decisions. The course provides a strong foundation for understanding the kinds of dynamics at play in statecraft, in general. The course's treatment of the rise and fall of states, and of the methods by which states seek to become dominant, can be useful reference points for a policy analyst.

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Writer

A writer crafts fiction or non-fiction pieces for various audiences. A writer covering historical topics may benefit greatly from this Military History of the Classical Greek World course, as this course dives deeply into specific conflicts and the people and states involved in them. This course covers the Greek classical period from approximately 500 BCE to 500 CE, making it an excellent reference tool. The course's attention to military technology, such as weapons and armor, provides writers with specific and accurate details to inform their work. Additionally, the course’s focus on the tactics and strategies involved in the battles may inform well-written fiction.

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Journalist

A journalist researches, writes, and reports news stories for various media outlets. A journalist covering historical topics could benefit from the knowledge gained in the Military History of the Classical Greek World course, as this course dives deep into historical conflicts and into the military organization of the time. A journalist with an area of focus in foreign relations, or military affairs, may find this course's coverage of the classical world to be helpful background. The course's emphasis on strategy and tactics, and the course’s lessons on the strategic implications of the conflicts covered may be particularly helpful to a journalist.

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Librarian

A librarian manages collections of books, journals, and other resources, and assists people in finding information. A librarian who specializes in history may find a course like Military History of the Classical Greek World to be useful. The course also lays out the historical context of the conflicts, providing a useful perspective for the librarian who works in this area. It also covers specialized military terminology, which a librarian may encounter in the course of their work. The course may be a useful reference point for a librarian when cataloging and organizing materials.

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Teacher

A teacher educates students in a specific subject area. A teacher of history, for example, may find that the Military History of the Classical Greek World course is helpful background. A teacher may teach younger students a simplified version of the topics covered in the course. The course’s focus on the people involved in the conflicts, the military technology, the strategies, and the strategic implications, could inform a teacher's lesson plans. The course’s deep dive into specific conflicts such as the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the conquests of Alexander the Great also make it a solid choice for the teacher of high school history.

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Game Designer

A game designer creates the rules, mechanics, and overall gameplay of video games or other interactive media. This Military History of the Classical Greek World course may inform a game designer working on projects that involve historical warfare or strategy. The course's detailed examination of military technology, tactics, and strategies, as well as the historical context of specific conflicts such as the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, could be used as inspiration for game mechanics, or provide a reference point for a historical game. The course’s overview of the strategic implications of war may provide a game designer with additional options.

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Translator

A translator converts written text from one language to another. A translator specializing in historical documents may benefit from the broad historical knowledge and military terminology covered in the Military History of the Classical Greek World course. The translator may encounter the types of information covered in the course, such as military tactics, formations, and the strategic implications of conflict. The course also discusses the states involved, and the people involved in the conflicts of the time, making it a useful background for a translator working with historical documents. While these are not the focus of the course, they provide essential context.

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Documentary Filmmaker

A documentary filmmaker creates non-fiction films on a variety of subjects. A documentary filmmaker who is working on historical topics, may be interested in the Military History of the Classical Greek World course. This course includes a study of the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the conquests of Alexander the Great, giving a documentary filmmaker a detailed overview of each of these conflicts. The course may also help inspire the direction of a documentary, or help a filmmaker decide which areas to cover in depth. The course's discussion of military technology also provides context for a film that may require accurate visual representations.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Military History of the Classical Greek World.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides an in-depth account of the Peloponnesian War, a central conflict covered in the course. It offers valuable insights into the strategies, tactics, and political dynamics of the war. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions. Reading this book will significantly enhance your understanding of the war's impact on the Classical Greek world.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Putting Knowledge to Work

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The Concise Art of War

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While not directly related to the Classical Greek world, Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' provides timeless insights into military strategy and tactics. Understanding these principles can enhance your appreciation of the strategic decisions made during the conflicts covered in the course. is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

The Concise Art of War (Concise Classics)

Kindle Edition

Military History of the Classical Greek World

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Learning objectives

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Military history of classical greece

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