Spartans vs Athenians

 SPARTANS

Greeks were certainly a warlike people - especially the Spartans

Spartans were known for their tough, ruthless infantry: soldiers who fought on land

Spartan boys trained from the time they were seven 

ATHENIANS

Athens had a great infantry, too, but nothing could compare with their navy

their most effective weapon was the trireme

PHALANX

close-rank, dense grouping of warriors

armed with long spears and interlocking shields

Greek

iron weapons meant ordinary citizens could afford to arm themselves

foot soldiers (hoplites) trained from an early age

armed with spears, swords, shields

often fought in phalanx formation

“home field” advantage

motivated to preserve democracy

VS

Persian

first archers (do damage from a distance)

then cavalry (they disrupt communication between generals and soldiers)

then lightly armored infantry (carried spear, sword, and bow)

huge numbers

long way from home

professional army (soldiers for hire, or mercenaries)