Minoan / Early Mycenean 1500-1250BC

Armies for
Ancient Chariot Era Warfare

by Terry Gore


The civilisations of Crete and the early Greek Peloponnesians loom large in myth and heroic legend. The Minoan civilization in Crete spread to Greece and the islands of the Aegean before the island was subjugated by Indo-Euopean migrants circa 1400 BC. As the early Mycenaeans were in turn pressured by migratory groups, they too took to the sea and spread throughout the Aegean and the coastal areas of the Middle East.

The armies of these groups were chariot based with numbers of close order spearmen supported by skirmisher foot. The medium chariots were used as a shock weapon as well as a mobile firing platform for javelinmen. The capability to sail throughout the Aegean allowed the armies of this period to range far and wide on foraging and colonising expeditions.

Tactically, the chariots were the main attack force, with the foot in close rear support, holding a flank or the centre. Skirmisher foot must support the chariots. Use the ships to sail up a large river or sea area and attack an enemy's rear. This is a fair army for any player.

Enemies: Mycenaean, Hittites, New Kingdom Egyptians, Sea Peoples, Aramaean/Phoenician/Cypriot.

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© Copyright 2001 by Terry Gore
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