The Greco-Persian wars, the great struggle between the United Greek Poleis against the growing Persian Empire of the East. Sparta, one of the Major greek Polis was responsible to a great extent for the victory of the Greeks over the Persians. Sparta not only participated in several crucial battles of the war such as Thermopylae and Plataea, but also contributed to the Greek Political and cultural idea of unity. Along with the physical strength of the Spartan forces, their leadership at battles such as “Salamis” and “Plataea” allowed the Greeks to be victorious in the Greco-Persian Wars. The battle of Marathon, the first and instigating battle of the Persian wars of 490Bc, was fought and won by the forces of Athens and Plataeans, without the help of the Spartans.
Limited resources, population growth and to some extent, differing ideologies that originated from the polis states conflicting economic and socio-political concepts are elements of necessity that continuously influenced the war culture of the ancient Greek worlds. Three basic elements define war; ‘violence, legitimacy and legality’. Nieberg states that ‘all wars are violent’ and are founded on the supposition that force is required to attain a preferred goal; at times lethal force is applied. As such, war must be validated. In the antiquity of Greece war was a fundamental concept to socio-political
When assessing the individuals during the pentacontaetia, it seems logical to start with Miltiades. During this time, Miltiades was the Athenian general, and he made his greatest contribution to the formation of the Athenian Empire by his efforts in the battle of Marathon. This battle was a key part in the formation of the empire as it proved the Ionian States that Athens could defeat the Persians without the aid of Sparta (however the advancing army did play an indirect role in the battle). Miltiades commanded his 10,000 Athenians and Plateans (Herodotus) and successfully stopped the first Persian invasion. It is said by Plutarch that Miltiades enjoyed the highest prestige from the battle, and this would have increased Athenian reputation among the Greek states (it is important to note that one factor of the formation of e empire was that the Ionian States chose Athens), and would thus have made them more inclined to choose Athens as the hegemon, and allowing them to create their empire.
I personally believe that Paris was most responsible for the outbreak of the Trojan war. There are several reasons why I believe that this makes him most responsible for the war. Firstly, Paris gave the apple of discord to Aphrodite. This makes him responsible as he chose the shallowest reward of the three he was offered, and chose by far the worst and most risky option of the three. This not only makes Paris responsible for the outbreak of a long, devastating and all-round unnecessary war, but also shows him to be a shallow man.
Many troops were not committed to their duty in Vietnam and did not always see why they were actually putting their lives on the line. Not only were the VC more committed to the war, they were also greatly underestimated by the US and were not expected to have the advanced tunnel systems and weaponry they used. In summary, Americans simply believed their enemies were technologically inferior peasants, when in reality the VC were well aware of Vietnamese terrain, quick to improvise and extremely dedicated to their cause. Before Ia Drang the US had already commenced Operation Rolling Thunder, the strategic bombing of North Vietnam. Despite
The Battle of Marathon The Battle of Marathon is significant not only to the Greeks, but the whole world. At the beginning of their fight, the Greeks had won a stunning victory. This was a battle no one will forget. It was only the first of many battles between the Greeks and the Persians. It all started when King Darius decided to conquer the tiny Greek city states of mainland Greece.
Wrestling: The Sport of Gods Greek wrestling, also known as Ancient Greek wrestling, was the most popular organized sport in Ancient Greece. A very grueling and dangerous event, men that competed were viewed as respectable men. A point was scored when one player touched the ground with his back, hip, shoulder, tapped out due to a submission-hold or forced out of the wrestling-area. Three points had to be scored to win the match (Miller 14). The Ancient Olympics began with only a few running events, but eventually expanded into much more.
A Spartan citizen was not even aloud to be anything but a soldier, so they were economically challenged. The similarities between the two cultures are few, but are important. Even though the Spartan’s whole society was based upon the military, the Athenians could be just as brave and tenacious.
Discuss the causes and origins of the Peloponnesian War. The Peloponnesian War was a long and brutal affair involving Sparta and its allies and the Athenian empire. The war was fought over supremacy in Greece but was also a struggle of opposing political systems and outlooks. There was division, within city states themselves, particularly Athens, over whether to go to war and then how to fight it. Sparta was eventually the victor of the conflict but at a terrible price to Greece.
Because of those Napoleon can be seen as one of the greatest Generals that ever lived. If you look at the historical meaning, I think it it more debatable. Napoleon is without doubt one of the greatest leaders in military history, his skill as a general both tactically and strategically is without question, his rise to power astounding. Few men in history have had such an impact on world history and he easily ranks along side such leaders as Alexander the Great and Hannibal. Like those leaders he was an authoritarian leader and a dictator whose skill was matched by his ambition, one of those who did not know when the possible ended and the impossible began.