Lochos: Difference between revisions
fix formatting |
copyedits |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| ⚫ | A '''''lókhos''''' or '''''lochos''''', from the [[Greek language|Greek]] λόχος, was a [[Military organization|tactical sub unit]] of [[Classical Greece]] and of the modern [[Greek army]]. The term derived from the ancient Greek for [[ambush]] and the men carrying out the ambush, but in practice, its meaning was essentially that of "war-band", a body of armed men. This translation has been used traditionally, e.g. for the [[Sacred Band of Thebes]]. However in modern context, the more correct rendering would be "[[Company (military unit)|company]]". |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | ''' |
||
==Size and organisation== |
==Size and organisation== |
||
Evolving as it did |
Evolving as it did with the [[ancient Greek warfare]] of the Greek [[city-state]]s, the ''lokhos'' varied in size and organisation over time and from city state to city state, ranging in size from about 100 men to about 640 men. |
||
=== Spartan ''lokhos'' === |
|||
The [[Sparta]]n lokhos of the [[5th Century BC]] as described by [[Xenophon]] in his [[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]] consisted of 640 men, composed of 4 ''pentekostyes'' of 160 men, with the ''pentekostyes'' in turn being composed of 4 ''enomotiai'' of about 40 men each. The lokhos in turn formed half of |
The [[Sparta]]n ''lokhos'' of the [[5th Century BC]], as described by [[Xenophon]] in his ''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]]'', consisted of 640 men, composed of 4 ''pentekostyes'' of 160 men, with the ''pentekostyes'' in turn being composed of 4 ''enomotiai'' of about 40 men each. The lokhos in turn formed half of a ''[[Mora (military unit)|mora]]'' there being 6 ''morai'' in the [[Spartan Army]]. The morai would normally be commanded by a [[Polemarch]], and the ''lokhos'' by a ''[[lokhagos]]''. However the actual numbers would vary depending on the needs of a campaign. Spartan military organisation relied on dividing its citizen army into 8 age classes and full strength ''enomotiai'' consisted of 5 men from each of the age classes. However, it was unusual to draw men from the older age classes, so on campaign an ''enomotia'' would consist of 30 to 35 men with the ''lokhos'' and'' mora'' being correspondingly smaller.<ref>{{cite book |
||
| last =Hackett |
| last =Hackett |
||
| first =John |
| first =John |
||
| Line 20: | Line 19: | ||
| id = |
| id = |
||
| isbn =0-283-99591-2}}</ref> |
| isbn =0-283-99591-2}}</ref> |
||
If only the first 4 or even fewer age classes were drawn upon, than the "short" organisational lokhos would be grouped together to form a full strength tactical lokhos. |
If only the first 4 or even fewer age classes were drawn upon, than the "short" organisational ''lokhos'' would be grouped together to form a full strength tactical ''lokhos''. |
||
Units of about 300 men appear frequently in the classical Greek records, this being the number of the [[Sacred Band of Thebes]], the Spartans at [[Battle of Thermopylae|Thermopylae]], and the number on each side of the "Battle of the Champions" fought between [[Argos]] and Sparta in 546 BC. This number would give a frontage of about 40 men given the traditional 8 deep [[phalanx]], and probably represents the smallest usable sub-division of a phalanx. |
|||
==Modern use== |
==Modern use== |
||
The rank of [[lokhagos]] has been revived in the modern Greek military for a company |
The term ''lokhos'', along with the associated rank of ''[[lokhagos]]'' and its derivatives, has been revived in the modern Greek military for a company-sized command. |
||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
| ⚫ | |||
*[[Cohort (military unit)|Cohort]] a Roman military unit of about the same size as a large lokhos |
*[[Cohort (military unit)|Cohort]] a Roman military unit of about the same size as a large lokhos |
||
*[[Sacred Band]] for a number of units named ''Ieros Lochos'' in Greek history |
|||
*[[Tagma (military)]] |
|||
==Reference== |
==Reference== |
||
| Line 34: | Line 36: | ||
[[Category:Military units and formations of ancient Greece]] |
[[Category:Military units and formations of ancient Greece]] |
||
[[Category:Military units and formations of Greece]] |
|||
[[Category:Military units and formations by size]] |
|||
Revision as of 12:21, 2 September 2008
A lókhos or lochos, from the Greek λόχος, was a tactical sub unit of Classical Greece and of the modern Greek army. The term derived from the ancient Greek for ambush and the men carrying out the ambush, but in practice, its meaning was essentially that of "war-band", a body of armed men. This translation has been used traditionally, e.g. for the Sacred Band of Thebes. However in modern context, the more correct rendering would be "company".
Size and organisation
Evolving as it did with the ancient Greek warfare of the Greek city-states, the lokhos varied in size and organisation over time and from city state to city state, ranging in size from about 100 men to about 640 men.
Spartan lokhos
The Spartan lokhos of the 5th Century BC, as described by Xenophon in his Anabasis, consisted of 640 men, composed of 4 pentekostyes of 160 men, with the pentekostyes in turn being composed of 4 enomotiai of about 40 men each. The lokhos in turn formed half of a mora there being 6 morai in the Spartan Army. The morai would normally be commanded by a Polemarch, and the lokhos by a lokhagos. However the actual numbers would vary depending on the needs of a campaign. Spartan military organisation relied on dividing its citizen army into 8 age classes and full strength enomotiai consisted of 5 men from each of the age classes. However, it was unusual to draw men from the older age classes, so on campaign an enomotia would consist of 30 to 35 men with the lokhos and mora being correspondingly smaller.[1] If only the first 4 or even fewer age classes were drawn upon, than the "short" organisational lokhos would be grouped together to form a full strength tactical lokhos.
Units of about 300 men appear frequently in the classical Greek records, this being the number of the Sacred Band of Thebes, the Spartans at Thermopylae, and the number on each side of the "Battle of the Champions" fought between Argos and Sparta in 546 BC. This number would give a frontage of about 40 men given the traditional 8 deep phalanx, and probably represents the smallest usable sub-division of a phalanx.
Modern use
The term lokhos, along with the associated rank of lokhagos and its derivatives, has been revived in the modern Greek military for a company-sized command.
See also
- Cohort a Roman military unit of about the same size as a large lokhos
- Sacred Band for a number of units named Ieros Lochos in Greek history
- Tagma (military)
Reference
- ^ Hackett, John (1989). Warfare in the Ancient World. Sidgwick and Jackson ltd. p. 255. ISBN 0-283-99591-2.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)