What happened when the Greek and Roman Armies fought?

2015-10-28T16:58:35-04:00

I like military history. It often illuminates tactical weaknesses and strengths that is appropriate to todays battlefields.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Oct 28 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-10-28T17:11:27-04:00

I'm standing by MAJ Ken Landgren ... what can you tell us about it?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 28 at 2015 5:17 PM

2015-10-28T17:17:04-04:00

Spoiler alert: Rome wins.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-10-28T17:30:37-04:00

Talking about the hoplite phalanx vs legion shield wall? Or just talking about warfare during those times?

Response by SFC Joseph James made Oct 28 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-10-28T17:43:27-04:00

Sounds like you like "Rome: Total War" lol

Response by COL Ted Mc made Oct 28 at 2015 5:48 PM

2015-10-28T17:48:16-04:00

MAJ Ken Landgren - Major; The Greek Phalanx had been replaced by the Macedonian (pikes being better than spears) by around 300 BC (or around 300 BCE for the 'politically correct' {or around CDLIV A.U.C. for those in my intake year}]). The first real contact coming in about CDLXXIV A.U.C. (and the term Pyrrhic Victory may evoke some idea of the results).

The Phalanx (either version) wasn't very maneuverable whereas the Legion was. You couldn't get a Phalanx to advance in an oblique without running a SERIOUS risk of the whole thing dissolving into chaos. In other words you got one chance to "aim" a Phalanx and if you didn't get it right the first time you tended to be hooped.

So, by reason of greater mobility and more tactical options the Romans tended to win a whole lot of the time. (The doctrine of ALWAYS having a "fortified camp" to retreat into if the battle went badly didn't hurt either.")

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 6:11 PM

2015-10-28T18:11:19-04:00

On the individual level I believe the Romans also had better weapons, armor and particularly shields.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 6:38 PM

2015-10-28T18:38:51-04:00

The Greek's were readily defeated, the sheer economic and logistical might of Rome won every battle fought. Greek's biggest weakness was their inability to unite most Greek's allied with Rome and assisted in the battles on the Roman side. BC 146 Battle of Corinth which sealed Roman control over the Peloponnese. Greeks attacked with an Army only 1/2 the size of the Romans. Several rebellions were quickly crushed under Sula. In short the defiant Greeks never mounted a serious threat to the Romans.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 28 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-10-28T19:14:43-04:00

They finally agreed on what to name the planets
The first use of feta cheese in lasagna
Lamb parmigiana became a fad for a few years
Italians adopted the Greek tradition of the big freaking wedding and made it their own
The freaking column style debate started.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 29 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-10-29T10:50:58-04:00

Most of the time, the Romans won. I would argue, and I think most historians would agree, that the reason for this was a combination of a more flexible form of combat on the Romans part when comparing the legionary structure to the phalanx and greater freedom of subordinate commanders, part of which came from that very same more flexible legionary structure. The Battle of Cynoscephalae is probably the best illustration of this.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 7:58 PM

2015-10-29T19:58:58-04:00

This is absolutely fascinating history. We wouldn't be here today without those ancient armies and their tactics. We are still learning from them.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Oct 30 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-10-30T19:10:38-04:00

" Tell him then [the King] that we must have a battle first; for we have had no breakfast, and there is no man alive who will talk to Greeks about a truce unless he provides them with a breakfast"
Xenophon, The Anabasis

Response by SSG John Jensen made Oct 31 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-10-31T15:45:26-04:00

"at this moment, as you see for yourself, we have no possession save arms and valor. Now if we keep our arms, we can imagine that we can make use of our valor also, but if we give them up, that we shall likewise be deprived of our lives. Dp not suppose, therefore, that we shall give up to you the only possessions that we have; rather, with these we shall do battle with you for your possessions as well"
Xenophon, the Anabasis