Summary of the video What Did Hoplites Eat on Campaign? - Greek Army Logistics DOCUMENTARY

Speakers: Greek Phalanx, Max Miller

Important Points and Facts:

  • Ancient Greek armies, known as Hoplites, were primarily sustained by a diet of fish and onions.
  • The diet of ancient Greek soldiers was reflective of their civilian culture, consisting of three basic meals: acatis (breakfast), Ariston (lunch), and dipon (dinner).
  • Breakfast typically consisted of porridge or barley breads dipped in wine, while lunch was relatively light and simple, often consisting of salted fish, bread, cheese, and olives.
  • Dinner was the most lavish meal of the day, often featuring a variety of seafood, grapes, olives, onions, legumes, and fruits.
  • The Greek armies had no centralized system of supply. Instead, soldiers were expected to bring their own rations and keep themselves fed while on the march.
  • The soldiers’ diet on campaign was primarily grain-based, with wheat and barley being consumed in large quantities.
  • The soldiers would supplement their rations with varied ingredients obtained at the start of a campaign, including fish, cheese, and onions.
  • The soldiers would also collect ingredients opportunistically in the field, including fruits, berries, and nuts.

Actionable Items:

  • Greek armies could improve their logistics by developing a centralized system of supply.
  • Soldiers could diversify their diet by collecting ingredients opportunistically in the field.

Sentiment of the Video: The video provides an informative and detailed overview of the diet and logistics of ancient Greek armies. It portrays the soldiers’ diet as relatively simple but sufficient to sustain them during their campaigns. The video also highlights the challenges faced by the soldiers in maintaining their diet while on the march and the strategies they employed to overcome these challenges.

What Did Hoplites Eat on Campaign? - Greek Army Logistics DOCUMENTARY