Greek Warfare Workshop for Schools

Day Itinerary*

Learn about hoplite, their gear and their fighting technique

• Look at photos of pottery paintings, statues, and artefacts (actual helmets etc.) to understand what hoplites fought with, as well as their formation, the phalanx
• Try a phalanx formation - first, one child uses a replica shield helmet and spear to learn the basic fighting technique, then others join to create a phalanx. We discuss the challenges of fighting in this way. What kind of qualities did a hoplite need to have?

Make helmets and shields

• Working in pairs children make either a Greek helmet or shield. Most resources supplied - card, templates, permanent markers, instructions, big scissors, sellotape, staplers, etc. This is an in-depth craft activity which children will love. They will learn a lot of craft skills and produce amazing works of art.

Learn about the Battle of Marathon

• Introduction to the Battle of Marathon. We look at Greece and Athens, the Persian empire, and the background to the conflict. We see evidence of the Persian army, its soldiers and gear. We consider how the Athenians felt when they heard the Persian fleet had arrived at Marathon. We also discuss the connection to the marathon race.
• The class pretends they are the citizens of Athens, and we hold a debate as to whether Athens should fight the Persians, or give in to their rule. We discuss all the pros and cons, then children take turns to present their arguments to the class. Finally the class votes. Develops skills of reasoning and persuasion, as well as understanding the feelings of the Athenians and the issues facing them.
• We look at what happened next - the Athenians marched to Marathon to face the Persians. We go out into the playground with the shields and helmets plus my spears, and reenact the beginning of the battle. In four teams children take turns to march, run, and form the phalanx, while the rest pretend to be the Persians, shooting arrows. No actual fighting takes place!
• We go back inside to reflect on what we learned from the reenactment, and learn what happened in the actual battle. Why did the Athenians win? What happened next?

* The activities may vary on the day depending on the length of the sessions and the age and ability of the participants.