One of the best things about doing Greek armies is that the troops you paint up can be used for so many different armies. The armies of Classical Greece ranged from the mostly-Hoplite spearman armies of Sparta to the skirmisher and peltast based armies of the Aetolian League. Rather than present you with a laundry list of different armies I've fielded with the troops below, I'd rather just show them to you and perhaps explain a little about them.
Many of these troops can also be used to field the armies of Macedonian and its Successor kingdoms.
Needless to say, I am quite proud of how these guys look! Every shield is different, and all are based on actual Greek shield patterns or designs appearing on pottery. The first time I used them in a tournament I had one stranger want to buy them. Name your price, he insisted. Nope, I said. No way am I painting all those intricate designs again! The figures are all Essex with a variety of helmets. I used piano wire for the spears instead of the provided lead.
Anyway, the hoplite spearman was the mainstay of Greek city-states for centuries. He was a wealthy citizen, at least initially, who provided his own arms and armor. The bronze cuirass gave way, in time, to the colorful linen armor pictured above. In later times, the state would begin to provide the arms and armor, leading to a more uniform appearance than above.
The wealthiest citizens of the Greek city-state could provide their own horse and be fielded as cavalry. Except for the states of Thessaly, Greek armies never fielded an abundance of horsemen. They were generally armed with javelins and a bronze helment and cuirass, which could be linen instead. It wasn't until later that Greek cavalry began to use shields. Mine above show a mix of shielded and unshielded styles. Once again, the figures are all Essex.
Some of the states with larger armies could field both heavier and lighter cavalry. The Greek Light Horese pictured above was used solely in a skirmishing role, and would not generally charge opposing infantry or heavay cavalry. They fought with javelins and were usually unarmored. Later, a style of light horse emerged known as "Tarantine," from the Greek colony in southern Italy. Some credit these type of horsemen with popularizing the use of the shield. In the photo above, you can see traditional Greek light horse in the center, flanked by a couple stands of Tarantine style. All miniatuures are from Essex, again.
As time progressed, more and more Greek city-states hired mercenaries to supplement their forces. Often, these were a troop type known as Peltasts or Psiloi. The peltasts are believed to have fought in a looser order than the hoplites. They usually carried javelins to skirmish with, as well, and would often harass their heavier counterparts rather than close to melee them. The tribal warriors of Thrace, pictured above, are thought to have been the inspiration for this troop type. Their distinctive, colorful cloaks marked them on the battlefield. The figures are a mix of Essex and old Minifigs (I believe). Pictured below are some Greek peltasts backed up by Psiloi. Psiloi were skirmishers armed with various missile weapons. They were used to either screen friendly heavier troops from missile fire or harass the enemy with their own javelins, bows or slings.
