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Osprey Campaign #239
Plataea 479 BC: The most glorious victory ever seen
Plataea was one of the biggest and most important land battles of pre-20th century history. Close to 100,000 hoplite and light-armed Greeks took on an even larger barbarian army that included elite Asian cavalry and infantry from as far away as India, with thousands of Greek hoplites and cavalry also fighting on the Persian side. At points in the several days of battle, the Persians with their more fluid, missile tactics came close to breaking the Greek defensive line and cutting off their supplies. But, in a fatal misjudgement when he nearly had the battle won, their general Mardonius committed the cream of his infantry to close-quarters combat with the Spartans and their Peloponnesian allies. He died and his men were finally crushed by heavier weaponry and superior discipline. Meanwhile, 250 miles to the east, the Greek navy inflicted an equally decisive defeat on the Persians, neutralising Xerxes' seapower in the Aegean. The tiny minority of Greek city states that actually took up arms against the invading forces of the mightiest empire yet seen in the ancient world had halted its western expansion and driven it back.
The reconstruction of the battle of Plataea will draw on recent persuasive academic interpretations of the textual sources and visual evidence (mainly from near-contemporary vase paintings) for the early 5th-century method of hoplite fighting.
The reconstruction of the battle of Plataea will draw on recent persuasive academic interpretations of the textual sources and visual evidence (mainly from near-contemporary vase paintings) for the early 5th-century method of hoplite fighting.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 20, 2020
The Greco-Persian Wars are famous thanks to some very good accounts written not long after they happened (primarily The Histories), but still get boiled down to a few famous battles. The Battle of Plataea isn't one of those, and feels more like a denouement after the drama of Salamis.
However, the Persan Empire still had a very large army that wintered over in Greece after Salamis. Much of the army pulled back with Xerxes, but what was left was still larger than what the Greeks could likely put up against it. The next year would see the Persians finish by land what they had started by land, and been delayed by sea.
Osprey has done Campaign books for all the major battles of the two invasions of Greece, though I only have this one and Marathon (which was good). This one is meant to stand alone, and starts with an eleven-page summary of the rise of Persia and its conflicts with Greece. This is followed by the usual short descriptions of the various commanders involved (very short in this case, ~3 pages for five people). There is a good look at the Persian and Greek armies, with the general equipment of both, and some analysis of the likely number of men in each army. The following section on overall planning is fairly brief, but covers the situation well.
The main narrative starts with the Persian withdrawal after Salamis (noting that the Greeks had expected a 'round two' the next day), and deals well with all the politicking that surrounded the efforts to keep the Greek army in the field, and decide just where it would be stationed. The main bulk of the battle is well described, and there's a couple of good 'soldier's eye' view illustrations, but of course, it largely follows Herodotus' account. There is some good analysis over how the Greek supplies were working, and the Persian attempts to cut that off; this is also followed by some good work on just what happened during the attempted pull out and the climatic day of the battle.
There's also a very short section on the Battle of Mycale, which supposedly happened on the same day. The Histories doesn't talk as much about it, and therefore there's not a lot to say here, though there is an area map, and a good photo of where the battle presumably happened.
Overall, it's a competent Campaign book, but not a stellar one. This is mostly caused by the fact we're dependent on one well-known source. It's well analyzed here, but there's not a whole lot to do, though of course the photos of the area, and the maps are a great help.
However, the Persan Empire still had a very large army that wintered over in Greece after Salamis. Much of the army pulled back with Xerxes, but what was left was still larger than what the Greeks could likely put up against it. The next year would see the Persians finish by land what they had started by land, and been delayed by sea.
Osprey has done Campaign books for all the major battles of the two invasions of Greece, though I only have this one and Marathon (which was good). This one is meant to stand alone, and starts with an eleven-page summary of the rise of Persia and its conflicts with Greece. This is followed by the usual short descriptions of the various commanders involved (very short in this case, ~3 pages for five people). There is a good look at the Persian and Greek armies, with the general equipment of both, and some analysis of the likely number of men in each army. The following section on overall planning is fairly brief, but covers the situation well.
The main narrative starts with the Persian withdrawal after Salamis (noting that the Greeks had expected a 'round two' the next day), and deals well with all the politicking that surrounded the efforts to keep the Greek army in the field, and decide just where it would be stationed. The main bulk of the battle is well described, and there's a couple of good 'soldier's eye' view illustrations, but of course, it largely follows Herodotus' account. There is some good analysis over how the Greek supplies were working, and the Persian attempts to cut that off; this is also followed by some good work on just what happened during the attempted pull out and the climatic day of the battle.
There's also a very short section on the Battle of Mycale, which supposedly happened on the same day. The Histories doesn't talk as much about it, and therefore there's not a lot to say here, though there is an area map, and a good photo of where the battle presumably happened.
Overall, it's a competent Campaign book, but not a stellar one. This is mostly caused by the fact we're dependent on one well-known source. It's well analyzed here, but there's not a whole lot to do, though of course the photos of the area, and the maps are a great help.
August 9, 2025
Although Salamis is usually portrayed as the decisive battle of Xerxes’ invasion, Plataea was also extremely important. Without the former, the Greeks would have had no chance to fight the land battle at Plataea; but if they had not stood largely united, overcoming prejudices and old animosities, Greece would certainly have fallen under Persian dominance.
The Persian commander was undoubtedly competent. He knew his enemies’ weaknesses and skillfully delayed, fomented bickering and suspicion. He also showed great ability in selecting well-equipped units to face the hoplites and in choosing favorable cavalry terrain—leaving Attica and marching north to Boeotia.
Both Pausanias and Mardonius were larger-than-life leaders, but Sheperd does not let the mythical or romantic overshadow his excellent portrayal of this long battle of positioning, wits, and courage. Complemented by superb maps and Peter Dennis’s illustrations at their best, this book is one of the finest ways to understand the background of the Persian invasions, the forces involved (the author provides not only Herodotus’s figures but also his own analysis), and the battles of Plataea and Mycale.
There are, however, points where I disagree. For example, on page 31 the author states that a thrust delivered overarm was far more powerful than an underarm thrust—a claim that is by no means certain. Recent practical research and experimentation suggest quite the opposite, including tests conducted by Mathew, where the energy of a spear thrust from an overhead position by an encumbered hoplite measured 22.0 fpds (28.8 J), from a low position 32.7 fpds (44.3 J), and from the underarm position 34.3 fpds (46.5 J). The figures from Gabriel and Metz, while completely valid, clearly apply to a thrown weapon, not a thrust.
Another example is the author’s remarks about the linen cuirass. While I agree that 12 mm of glued linen likely provided protection comparable to 2 mm of bronze, as the author states, he neglects to mention that most of linen’s advantages are lost at such thickness. It offers little help with perspiration, is extremely hot, and is far from comfortable (try wearing twelve t-shirts at once). Moreover, producing such armor would probably not have been inexpensive—especially if reinforced with bronze scales. One thing is certain, however: it was definitely lighter than a bronze cuirass.
All in all, this is an excellent book for understanding not only the battle itself but also the critical conditions that led to its outcome. Written by a highly competent historian, and enhanced with remarkable photographs of artifacts, outstanding illustrations, and very useful maps, it is a fine addition to the library of anyone interested in ancient military history.
The Persian commander was undoubtedly competent. He knew his enemies’ weaknesses and skillfully delayed, fomented bickering and suspicion. He also showed great ability in selecting well-equipped units to face the hoplites and in choosing favorable cavalry terrain—leaving Attica and marching north to Boeotia.
Both Pausanias and Mardonius were larger-than-life leaders, but Sheperd does not let the mythical or romantic overshadow his excellent portrayal of this long battle of positioning, wits, and courage. Complemented by superb maps and Peter Dennis’s illustrations at their best, this book is one of the finest ways to understand the background of the Persian invasions, the forces involved (the author provides not only Herodotus’s figures but also his own analysis), and the battles of Plataea and Mycale.
There are, however, points where I disagree. For example, on page 31 the author states that a thrust delivered overarm was far more powerful than an underarm thrust—a claim that is by no means certain. Recent practical research and experimentation suggest quite the opposite, including tests conducted by Mathew, where the energy of a spear thrust from an overhead position by an encumbered hoplite measured 22.0 fpds (28.8 J), from a low position 32.7 fpds (44.3 J), and from the underarm position 34.3 fpds (46.5 J). The figures from Gabriel and Metz, while completely valid, clearly apply to a thrown weapon, not a thrust.
Another example is the author’s remarks about the linen cuirass. While I agree that 12 mm of glued linen likely provided protection comparable to 2 mm of bronze, as the author states, he neglects to mention that most of linen’s advantages are lost at such thickness. It offers little help with perspiration, is extremely hot, and is far from comfortable (try wearing twelve t-shirts at once). Moreover, producing such armor would probably not have been inexpensive—especially if reinforced with bronze scales. One thing is certain, however: it was definitely lighter than a bronze cuirass.
All in all, this is an excellent book for understanding not only the battle itself but also the critical conditions that led to its outcome. Written by a highly competent historian, and enhanced with remarkable photographs of artifacts, outstanding illustrations, and very useful maps, it is a fine addition to the library of anyone interested in ancient military history.
October 7, 2021
It’s generally not difficult to rate an Osprey: they purpose is clear and the message within either meets this purpose or it does not. I picked ‘Plataea 479 BC’ up to see a description of the battle different to the one by Mr Rahe which I recently read. Naturally, Mr Shepherd’s look at the battle provides a good overview, including how the Greek and Persian armies got to the fields at Plataea, as well as how the engagement proceeded afterwards. The focus on events after is quite light, especially the punishment meted out to Thebes, but it’s as good as one can hope from something focussed on the campaign and engagement itself.
Some things surprised me, however: the very long backstory for one. I guess it’s almost required, but given several other campaign titles exist to detail prior engagements in the Greco-Persian Wars, it sounded unnecessary to start with the growth of the Achaemenid state in the early 6th century BC to slowly draw this up to the campaign of 480 BC, and how Plataea was the conclusion to this. The same effect could have been done more succinctly but with greater effect, and this would have left more space to consider Mycale which gets a very brief treatment.
The author is also quite hesitant in describing the Oath of Plataea, or possibly the more recent release by Mr Rahe found further evidence to offer more comprehensive theories surrounding this. In most other sections, Mr Shepherd does note what alternative ways for things to happen there were, but regarding this relatively important event, he remains quiet.
Lastly, one of the most important parts of an Osprey are the plates. These ones here were nicely done, but more importantly—while I would not have been able to predict these in advance—while reading, and recalling Mr Rahe’s description of the battle, I instinctively came to know when Mr Shepherd would come to introduce a plate. The plates were all nicely done; the maps are of course more imaginative given the paucity of evidence we have for the site. One of the biggest drawbacks with the illustrations was the relatively poor quality of photographs that were included: this possibly comes down to the angle of some of the photos taken, but I did not see that these added much to the overall narrative. I would have also liked to see a map of the cities that participated on both sides with a more detailed overview of their contingency sizes, etc...
Good Osprey; meets its expectations but doesn’t go far beyond.
This review was originally posted on my blog.
Some things surprised me, however: the very long backstory for one. I guess it’s almost required, but given several other campaign titles exist to detail prior engagements in the Greco-Persian Wars, it sounded unnecessary to start with the growth of the Achaemenid state in the early 6th century BC to slowly draw this up to the campaign of 480 BC, and how Plataea was the conclusion to this. The same effect could have been done more succinctly but with greater effect, and this would have left more space to consider Mycale which gets a very brief treatment.
The author is also quite hesitant in describing the Oath of Plataea, or possibly the more recent release by Mr Rahe found further evidence to offer more comprehensive theories surrounding this. In most other sections, Mr Shepherd does note what alternative ways for things to happen there were, but regarding this relatively important event, he remains quiet.
Lastly, one of the most important parts of an Osprey are the plates. These ones here were nicely done, but more importantly—while I would not have been able to predict these in advance—while reading, and recalling Mr Rahe’s description of the battle, I instinctively came to know when Mr Shepherd would come to introduce a plate. The plates were all nicely done; the maps are of course more imaginative given the paucity of evidence we have for the site. One of the biggest drawbacks with the illustrations was the relatively poor quality of photographs that were included: this possibly comes down to the angle of some of the photos taken, but I did not see that these added much to the overall narrative. I would have also liked to see a map of the cities that participated on both sides with a more detailed overview of their contingency sizes, etc...
Good Osprey; meets its expectations but doesn’t go far beyond.
This review was originally posted on my blog.
August 12, 2023
4.5 stars. The first 3/4 of the book is fantastic with a lot of great history and detail, then the battle itself is completely brushed over and has very little detail.
February 8, 2015
Pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews