Customer Reviews

Greek Hoplite 480-323 BC (Warrior)

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

What I like about the books of Nick Sekunda is that he always try to make it easy for the common guy, the text is not too academic and not dry like other Osprey Writers, I like the way he put the source, when a author point out the sources he is given you a great help, I always like to start with a book which can guide to another great source of the same theme.

In this book we follow the life common Hoplite and experiences Training,Motivation and Preparation for the Hoplite Battle, the author provides full detail on what they wore, how they fought, and how their function fitted into the structure of Greek society.

We also can see the how his weapons, armour, shields and helmets developed in the course of time, the development of the arms and armour from the pilo helmet to the Phrygian Helmet with 10 fabulous pieces of artwork from Adam Hook with a lot of black and white photos.

The book belongs on every classicist's shelf or fan of the Armours, this is what I enjoy the most of this books the description of the equipment wore by the typical soldier that dominated the classical Greek warfare, you would learn a lot,the volume presents the hoplite during the classical era from the Battle of Salamis to the death of Alexander the Great as clearly as can be imagined.

To learn more about the Warfare in the Classical Period or the Arms and Armours of the Hoplite you should star with the book of "Arms and Armor of the Greeks" by Anthony, M. Snodgrass another great writer is Peter Connolly check "Greece and Rome at War" many illustration and also "Warfare in the Classical World" by John Gibson Warry, "The Wars of the Ancient Greeks" by Victor Davis Hanson(Cassell History of Warfare series)"Thermopylae:The Battle for the West" by Ernle Bradford is an accessible narrative, also give a inside the Greek world and the warfare but if you want more of the Spartan,Hoplite and the Hot Gates check "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield is a novel but with a lot of detail, from the author of the book there are many titles always from Osprey Marathon 490 BC(Campaign 108)is very useful.

If you could have only one book on Greek heavy infantry warfare, this would be it. It examines every facet of the warrior's life in war and peace, in combat and at ease, including gear, appearance, tactics, and personal experience in battle. Gave a very easy-to-read introduction to hoplite battle tactics, and the plates supplement the text well. The plate commentary is extremely detailed.

Nicholas Sekunda has produced a masterpiece with "Greek Hoplite". He goes into excellent detail describing the training of hoplites, their weapons and equipment, their organization on campaign, and their battle tactics. He also makes excellent use of primary sources, quoting Xenophon, Plutarch, and even the Greek tragedian Aeschylus. The colour plates are also vividly drawn. I honestly cannot think of anything bad to say about this book.

I used this volume as a reference for painting plastic Greek figures (Italieri). The color plates are great and confirmed the accuracy of the figures. The text flows smoothly and is informative. Overall, this is a nice first reference.

This book has good information, but is small. I would actual only consider it a pamphlet. Was expecting a little more but overall it is a good basic review of the Greek Hoplite with a few good illustrations.

For anyone interested in ancient Greek military history this is a very informative book. The color plates are beautifully rendered and meticulously detailed.While this book is aimed at the younger reader, anyone with a thirst for knowledge on this subject will find it useful.The text is well written and enjoyable to all age levels.I find myself referencing it often to add realistic images to other works on this subject.