AWA397 - Athenian Archers
From Ancient Warfare Podcast by The History Network
February 20, 2026 · 12 min · Episode 397
About this episode
The episode discusses the role and characteristics of Athenian archers at the start of the Peloponnesian War.
Samuel asks about Athenian archers at the start of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides lists significant numbers of them in 431 and it raises a series of questions. How were these archers equipped Were they citizens, metics or the famous Scythian archers Did they serve aboard triremes or mainly in garrisons Were they poorer citizens unable to afford hoplite equipment, or were they specialists and mercenaries. Murray looks at what we know from the sources and archaeology about Athenian archers. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
People in this episode
Guest: Samuel
Topics covered
- Athenian archers
- Peloponnesian War
- military history
- Thucydides
- archery
- citizenship
- mercenaries
Keywords
- Athenian archers
- Peloponnesian War
- Thucydides
- archery
- Scythian archers
- triremes
- garrisons
- citizens
- metics
- mercenaries
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Thucydides
Places: Athens
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