Ancient Greek Fortifications 500–300 BC

Osprey Fortress #40

by Nic Fields, Brian Delf (Illustrator)

The development of the city-state in the Classical period of Greek history ensured a shift in the nature of fortifications in the region. No longer were fortresses designed to defend a ruler and his entourage, rather the whole of the citizen body had to be protected against any outside threats. The enceintes of these Greek city-states did not have to be very high or strong as city-state conflict was still decided by spear and shield, though some thought was still given to the science of fortification. This book details the construction and ongoing development of the defences that protected some of the most illustrious sites in Greece during the most famous period of her history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Ancient History

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2006

About the author

Dr Nic Fields started his career as a biochemist before joining the Royal Marines. Having left the Navy, he went back to University and completed a BA and PhD in Ancient History at the University of Newcastle. He was Assistant Director at the British School of Archaeology, Athens, and is now a lecturer in Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it interesting that despite having walled cities, for a long time, they would fight phalanx to phalanx on flat plains.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well illustrated Nic Fields summary of the way Greek fortifications played out during the Peloponnesian War and its after-math. Fields tries hard to give some socio-historical background to the way the actual building was financed. He also resists the temptation to cut and paste across his works, rather re-explaining with different emphasis.

[Damion Paul Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed history with maps of all early Greek city-state battles, personalities, and techniques.

Has many color photographs from present day of Ancient Greek sites.