argives

[genko]

ok so i thought id counter the spartan thread even though i do love them does anyone know how those 1000 elite argives trained its something that interests me quite a bit is it anything like the spartan agoge or totaly different also feel free to go onto other discussions on the topic of argos

[chris1974]

darylb, sorry I can't give you any information about Argos or it's military might, but I too am an admirer of that small state. It is hard for me to find much historical reading on the city-state. From what I have read they were very formidable and did not seem intimidated by the much feared Spartans, meeting them in battle many times. If anyone knows of any historical non-fiction on the Argives it would be much appreciated if they would post it up. I voted for Argos in the favorite faction poll and they wil be my first campaign when the mod is released.

[thebigsalad]

Once I am done with exams I will look into it for you.

Sir Francis knew a fair bit about Argives, so maybe you can search for some posts by him. Sometimes he references primary sources.

[genko]

wow thanks guys thought this thread was forgoten ill look into that then i do remember that battle with the best 300 spartans against the best 300 argives that they won that was cool

[chris1974]

Thanks for the responses, I too will post any interesting books or information that I find.

[thebigsalad]

That account of the battle of 600 men doesn't quite go with Argos winning. The story goes, the Spartan and Argive armies met, and had decided to let the best 300 of each army to fight and decide the outcome of victory.

Two Argives remained, and they ran back to camp to tell of the victory, however a Spartan who was thought dead later stood up, and remained at his station looting the spoils. So both sides claimed victory for these reasons, and fighting broke out again because a decision wasn't reached.

In the ensuing battle the Spartans were victorious.
That is Herodotus (I, 82) if you want to read it. I'm sure you can get him on www.sacred-texts.com

[genko]

ahh i knew it was close but wasnt quites sure of the whole story thats prety cool though

[Javierfv1212]

I came across an article, very interesting, the end talks about an elite unit of 1000 hoplites and what became of them.

http://www.sparta.markoulakispublica...dex.php?id=121

"The Argives also had created their elite unite of one thousand youth hoplite in ca. 420. We do not know anything else except of their number and of the kind of men that composed it. The Argives, as Diodurus stated, selected a number of a thousand young citizens, the most physically strong and the most wealthy, and freed them from every political/cultural service to the state and with public expense, they trained them for war.As it was common in ancient times, empowered military fractions usually have been taken political control, the χίλιοι agreed to dissolve democracy and establish an aristocracy from their own numbers. They put to death the elected leaders and terrorized the rest of the citizens. It was not to long, eight months, that the Argives revolt and put to death all their elite Thousand. The country returned to democracy (D.S., 12.80.2-3)."

It also talks about Argive shield blazons, it seems they used an eagle and a toad more than a hydra.