Greek armies of this period consists of spear armed HI in a proto-phalanx. There might be specialists such as a unit of close order infantry fighting as archers. These would never advance in front of the spear men and would not be part of the phalanx, though their numbers would be deducted from the percentage of spear men .

There is justification for skirmishers armed with bow and woollen slings. These were probably of low quality and incapable of close combat.

The chariots start in the front of the battle line to stop the enemy chariots from disrupting their own infantry. Chariots operate in units of heavy chariots backed with a similar number of more lightly armored chariots.

Spaces should be left between the phalanxes to allow chariot units to pass back and forth, While some single combats would take place at the start of the battle, as the slow moving infantry approached contact, the chariots would be drawn up in company's or squadrons and either attack with the infantry or withdraw to enter the fray at some otherplace such as the flanks. It is probably better to ignore the single combat phase in standard war games or accommodate some mechanism for single combats before the battle becomes general.

Most chariots would be drawn by two horses, with an option to use three or even four horse chariots for leaders. Ibis would give the leaders' cars more stamina.

Since most chariot crews in the ancient world were capable of fighting around their chariots eg, Ancient Britons against Caesar, it is best to ignore the dismount option except when fighting to cross obstacles. If this happens, to represent the dismount replace the chariots with infantry in two lines. Armored infantry front; the lighter armed to the rear. These may not remount while in combat.

Some single combats can be engaged in prior to the first move of the infantry in the battle. This is best represented by having a proportion of the infantry blocks of lower fighting quality to simulate the loss of leaders.

Maintain some chariots to protect the flanks holding others in reserve to attack any weakened enemy troops through spaces provided. The Greek infantry should be of good quality and fairly resistant to arrows from the front.

In all this should be a well balanced army, combining staying power with rapid attacks. A general will be rewarded if, like the heroes of The Iliad, the infantry stay in contact with the chariots so both can provide mutual support. Carefully co-ordinated attacks should give better results than rash chariot onslaughts. Be an Odysseus not an Achilles!

Good luck in the corridors of battle.

Suggested Army List for Homeric Greeks (Modified Mycenaeans) Proto Classical (1080 -800 BCE?)
Up to 15%	Chariots	2-4 horse HC	Spear	Morale Good
Up to 15%	Chariots	2 horse LC	Javelin	Morale Average
Up to 40%	Spear men	HI	Spear and Large Shield	Morale Average
Up to 20%	Spear men	HI	Spear and Large Shield	Morale Good
Up to 30%	Skirmishers	LI	Bow*	Morale Poor
Up to 20%	Skirmishers	LI	Sling	Morale Poor

*(The bow would have short range of less then 100 yards.)

If desired, replace one spear men phalanx with the equivalent number of archers. Up to 20% of the infantry may be Poor morale to simulate the loss of heroes. Infantry must be split into units with gaps in between. Gaps can only be filled by dismounted charioteers

List by SFP

More Homer's Greeks in Battle

Foreword, Sources, and Narrative
The Infantry
The Chariots
The Equipment
Reconstructing the Battle Tactics
Wargaming with Homer's Greeks