07-23-2006, 06:53 PM
hoplite14gr
I sorry to say I cannot agree on that logic at least with respect too the Phocians being non-hoplites. I see no particular reason to doubt the Phocians could field 1000 hoplites (in a pinch Plataea could scrape up almost as many, a 1000 seems not much of a stretch for a whole region). The very existence of the First Sacred war is questionable and even if it is taken as fact represents events over 100 before the Persians wars. I don’t see any reason to take a supposed lack of hoplites in 590 BC on the part of Phocis (mind you a period when the hoplite was still only coming into its own anyway), as providing a useful data point for understanding the Phocian contingent in circa 480 BC.
Herodotus seems rather clear in enumerating number of hoplites and ignoring other types of troops, that he explicitly states the Phocians sent 1000 troops seems a good indication that he considered them equivalent to the other enumerated contingents at Thermopylae.
Consider for example his calculations for the Battle of Plataea, where he notes the Thespians but is careful to indicate they were not all hoplites (9.30). If you are correct Herodotus at minimum must be argued as careless for not also noting a similar mixed force for Phocis.
But this all beside the point, the fact remains Leonidas made something of a mistake in depending on Phocians alone to hold what was a critical point of the Greek defense without a more reliable body of hoplites and/or commanders.
I sorry to say I cannot agree on that logic at least with respect too the Phocians being non-hoplites. I see no particular reason to doubt the Phocians could field 1000 hoplites (in a pinch Plataea could scrape up almost as many, a 1000 seems not much of a stretch for a whole region). The very existence of the First Sacred war is questionable and even if it is taken as fact represents events over 100 before the Persians wars. I don’t see any reason to take a supposed lack of hoplites in 590 BC on the part of Phocis (mind you a period when the hoplite was still only coming into its own anyway), as providing a useful data point for understanding the Phocian contingent in circa 480 BC.
Herodotus seems rather clear in enumerating number of hoplites and ignoring other types of troops, that he explicitly states the Phocians sent 1000 troops seems a good indication that he considered them equivalent to the other enumerated contingents at Thermopylae.
Consider for example his calculations for the Battle of Plataea, where he notes the Thespians but is careful to indicate they were not all hoplites (9.30). If you are correct Herodotus at minimum must be argued as careless for not also noting a similar mixed force for Phocis.
But this all beside the point, the fact remains Leonidas made something of a mistake in depending on Phocians alone to hold what was a critical point of the Greek defense without a more reliable body of hoplites and/or commanders.
Paul Klos
\'One day when I fly with my hands -
up down the sky,
like a bird\'
\'One day when I fly with my hands -
up down the sky,
like a bird\'
