The Greek military camp in the ten thousand´s army

Mauricio G. Alvárez Rico

doi:10.3989/gladius.2002.55

Abstract

The first and main conclusion of this study of the Xenophon´s works is that the Greek military camp should be the subject of research and should get more than ten pages at most in any handbook on Greek warfare. Once the castramental vocabulary problem is resolved, and we know the exact difference on meaning between words like τὸ στρατόπeδον, τὰ ὄπλα or σκηνὲω, it will be possible to attempt an approximation to Greek castramental theory of the 4th century as it would have been described in lost contemporary works, such as the one by Aeneas Tacticus. The Greek military camp seems to have had a high level of professional organisation, with a regular plan and internal structure, a very sophisticated watch guard system and a routine that shows the generals concern for the order and discipline of their troops. Inside the camp it was the συσκηνὶα (the group of soldiers who shared the same tent) the basic logistical (and also probably, tactical) unit in the Greek armies on campaign.

Highlights

It is very surprising to discover how little attention has been given to the Greek military camp from the time it is first mentioned in J.Potterswork (Potters, 1776: 156-155) in the 18th century until the present day
We must not forget the importance that Xenophon attaches to maintaining discipline among the troops during the plundering actions and how he considers this activity as more appropiate to slaves than to soldiers. We can see another intention of the references to τq μπλα in the Lacedemonian Republic text: the sentries in the Spartan camp would been posted at the border of the encampment, along the place of the soldiers; at night, the lacedemonian patrols would have been responsible for keeping the servants out of the encampment to avoid any insurrection against their masters, while they were asleep in their positions by or on their arms
The first and main conclusion of our study is that the Greek military camp should be the subject of research and should get more than ten pages at most in any handbook on Greek warfare

Summary

INTRODUCTION

It is very surprising to discover how little attention has been given to the Greek military camp from the time it is first mentioned in J.Potterswork (Potters, 1776: 156-155) in the 18th century until the present day. The attention devoted by Xenophon to it in all his literary works, —particullary in his Lacedemonian Republic and Cyropaedia—, invites a more careful reflection on the subject The results of such a study of the Greek army issue is only one of the possibilities confronted by this research. We have taken the view that any conclusions must be supported by Xenophons testimony; he was very subjective, but had extensive experience and knowledge of the subject His account does not reach the depth or accuracy of Thucydides, but we must recognise that no-one has described the hoplitesethos better than him. THE GREEK MILITARY CAMP IN THE TEN THOUSAND’S ARMY that the Greek military camp could get more than the paltry ten pages normally devoted to it in the classical military handbooks

CASTRAMENTAL VOCABULARY USED IN XENOPHONS WORKS

SITTING THE CAMP

THE LAYOUT OF THE MILITARY CAMP

PALISADES AND CAMP DEFENCES

SENTINELS AND LOOKOUTS SYSTEMS AROUND THE CAMP

INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE CAMP

THE GREEK MILITARY TENT

59 Poland 1932

ROUTINE AT THE CAMP

10. CONCLUSIONS

77 Going out to look for booty