Iphicrates and the Peltasts: Light Infantry That Changed Greek Warfare

In this episode of The History of Greece, Lucas and Luna explore the military innovations of Iphicrates, the Athenian general who transformed the peltast from a skirmisher into a disciplined strike force. They discuss how Iphicrates reformed equipment—lengthening spears, replacing heavy shields with lighter pelte—and how his new light infantry crushed a Spartan hoplite regiment at the Battle of Lechaeum in 390 BCE. The conversation covers Iphicrates' career in the Corinthian War, his service under the Persian satrap Pharnabazus, his rivalry with the Spartan king Agesilaus II, and his eventual fall from favor. They also touch on his unusual family background and the legacy of peltasts in Hellenistic armies. This episode assumes familiarity with earlier episodes on the Peloponnesian War and the Corinthian War but stands alone as a deep dive into a pivotal tactical revolution. #Iphicrates #Peltasts #GreekWarfare #AncientGreece #LightInfantry #CorinthianWar #BattleOfLechaeum #Sparta #Athens #Hoplites #Phalanx #MilitaryReform #AgesilausII #Pharnabazus #PeloponnesianWar #Hellenistic #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo