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The Battle of Coronea

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JLight

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In August 394 BCE, the most brutal event of the Corinthian War took place between Spartan veterans and Theban hoplites. Just outside Coronea, the Spartan army of the Asia Minor campaign collided with a coalition army on the open plains of Boeotia in a grudge match that nearly saw the death of Sparta’s warrior king, Agesilaus. Sparta seized victory by holding the field of battle, but the clash shattered the image of the Spartan Phalanx’s invincibility and would be the last major pitched battle of the Corinthian War. To learn more, click on the link below.

https://www.historicworld.co.uk/pos...a-down-a-peg-or-two-the-corinthian-war-part-5
 
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JLight said:
In August 394 BCE, the most brutal event of the Corinthian War took place between Spartan veterans and Theban hoplites. Just outside Coronea, the Spartan army of the Asia Minor campaign collided with a coalition army on the open plains of Boeotia in a grudge match that nearly saw the death of Sparta’s warrior king, Agesilaus. Sparta seized victory by holding the field of battle, but the clash shattered the image of the Spartan Phalanx’s invincibility and would be the last major pitched battle of the Corinthian War. To learn more, click on the link below.

https://www.historicworld.co.uk/pos...a-down-a-peg-or-two-the-corinthian-war-part-5
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This takes me back to my school days, I remember reading about the hoplite battle strategy that was very successful in Greece
 
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Athens and the creation of democracy

I've been thinking about Athens and how it's the birth of democracy. I wondered if other societies had experimented with the concepts or if Athens was unique? Does anyone know? I know that there's been some evidence that other societies experimented with community leadership, but none had a true democracy like what Athens developed.

It was unique in developing a system where a significant portion of its inhabitants could participate directly in decision-making processes. This early form of democracy was largely initiated under the leadership of Cleisthenes in 508/507 BC. His reforms reorganized the population into ten tribes based on their residence rather than lineage, promoting a broader and more inclusive political engagement.

In this Athenian democracy, citizens had the right to attend the Assembly (Ekklesia), where they could speak and vote on legislation and executive decisions. The Council of Five Hundred (Boule), selected by lot for each of the ten tribes, proposed legislation and handled daily affairs. This lottery system for public office sought to prevent power monopolies and encourage civic participation.

I know that this work truly influenced other democratic governments through the world!

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Learning about Greek Independence Day

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Greek Independence Day History

Greek Independence Day is coming up! I thought I would share a bit that I know about the history. Please chime in with corrections or anything to add!
  1. The Spark of Revolution: Greek Independence Day marks the day in 1821 when the Greeks began their revolt against the Ottoman Empire, a state that had controlled Greece for nearly 400 years. This revolt was influenced by the surge of nationalism throughout Europe and inspired by the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
  2. A Poet’s Declaration: The revolution officially began after Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in Peloponnese, symbolizing the call to arms. However, it was rumored that the war of independence was actually declared a few days earlier by Alexandros Ypsilantis, a Greek national hero, in the Danubian Principalities.
  3. International Support: The Greek fight for independence was not just a local effort; it garnered substantial international support from prominent figures such as Lord Byron from Britain, who notably spent his own money and later died in Greece, contributing to the Greek cause. This international backing was crucial for the morale of the Greek fighters and helped in diplomatic efforts later on.
  4. The Battle of Navarino: A pivotal point in the Greek War of Independence was the Battle of Navarino in 1827, where the combined fleets of Britain, France, and Russia defeated the Ottoman and Egyptian fleets. This naval battle marked a significant turning point that led to the eventual independence of Greece.
  5. Recognition and Autonomy: Greek Independence was formally recognized in 1830 by the Treaty of London. However, full sovereignty and the delineation of the Greek borders were not achieved until later. It allowed the foundation of the modern Greek state, under the governance of King Otto from Bavaria.

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While some scholars once dismissed the Trojan War as pure myth, modern archaeological evidence has suggested that it may have been a real event. Excavations at the ancient site of Troy have revealed evidence of a long period of conflict and destruction, and historians have found similarities between the tale as it is told in ancient texts and what is known about the region's history at the time. While many details of the Trojan War are still shrouded in mystery, it seems increasingly likely that it was not just a legend but a real event that has been passed down through the ages.

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