Fortress Attica: Defense of the Athenian Land Frontier 404-322 B.C (Mnemosyne , Vol Suppl. 84)

By Josiah Ober. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (doctoral)--montana State University, 1980. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. [227]-231. This book analyzes the defense policy of Athens in the period after the Peloponnesian War. In order to counter new offensive strategies and to protect vital local sources of revenue, the Athenians instituted a system of territorial defense, based on massive frontier fortresses and a sophisticated signal network. Individual chapters treat Athens' postwar economic situations, the development of Greek military science, the rise of a defensive mentality among the Athenian citizens, theorectical literature on defense, and Athens' military establishment. A major section is devoted to detailed descriptions of the land routes into Attica and of all ancient fortresses, towers, and military highways in the frontier zones. Concluding chapters demonstrate how the defense system worked in practic. FORTRESS ATTICA: Defense of the Athenian Land Frontier 404-32 2 B.C. 4 CONTENTS 8 List of Maps 9 Preface 10 Abbreviations 13 Introduction 14 PART ONE THE PROBLEM 24 I. The Economic Resources of Attica 26 II. Methods of Waging War 45 III. The Defensive Mentality at Athens 64 PART TWO ATTEMPTS AT A SOLUTION 80 IV. The Theory of Defense 82 V. Changes in the Athenian Military Establishment 100 PART THREE FRONTIERS AND FORTIFICATIONS 114 VI. Routes into Attica 128 VII. Forts and Towers 147 VIII. The Road System of Northern Attica 198 PART FOUR THE DEFENSE OF ATTICA 206 IX. The Border Defense System 208 X. Chronological Review and Conclusions 225 Appendix: Identification of Some Sites in Northwestern Attica 240 Selected Bibliography 244 Index 250