Military Departures, Homecomings and Death in Classical Athens: Hoplite Transitions

This book explores the three fundamental transitions of the classical Athenian hoplite: departure to war, homecoming from war having survived, and homecoming from war having died. It provides a new template for understanding the experience of the hoplite and reconstructs the effects of war more fully.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This volume offers a fresh perspective on ancient Greek warfare by exploring three significant transformations experienced by the classical Athenian hoplite as a result of his military service. As a conscript, a man frequently called upon by his city-state to serve in the battle lines and fulfill his civic duty, the hoplite's most prevalent military experience was one of transition. He frequently departed to or returned from war, especially during protracted periods of conflict.

Scholarship has primarily focused on the hoplite's experience after his return, with a particular emphasis on his vulnerability to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, the moments of transition themselves have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Owen Rees examines these transitions from two perspectives: within the domestic environment as a member of an oikos and within the military environment as a member of the army. This analysis provides a new framework for each transition and effectively maps the hoplite's experience as he moves between his domestic and military responsibilities.

By reconstructing the effects of war and identifying moments with the potential for traumatic impact on the individual, this analysis offers a more comprehensive understanding of the hoplite's experience in ancient Greek warfare.

Weight: 550g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350188648