Students in Jared Benton’s CLAS 245 course, "War in the Classical World," reenacted the Battle of Sphacteria on October 7 next to Love Library.
The Battle of Sphacteria occurred in 425 BCE during the Peloponnesian War when Athenian forces trapped and defeated a Spartan garrison on the island of Sphacteria near Pylos. The Athenians, led by Cleon and Demosthenes, used light-armed troops, formerly ship rowers, to wear down the heavily armored Spartans, forcing an unprecedented Spartan surrender. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of flexible tactics and light infantry over traditional hoplite warfare—a shift in Greek military strategy that damaged Spartan's reputation.
Benton had students play a game. Because they were on an island, they could not leave the grassy area. Students playing the role of an Athenian rower/peltast were armed with projectiles (foam golf balls) and those representing hoplites used spears (pool noodles). Spartans were armed with a shield and a spear. Students were instructed to maintain formation of the phalanx with shields overlapping while avoiding projectiles.
“This way of learning is more fun," Luke Larson, an agribusiness major taking the course, said. "Better than sitting in a class with a slideshow.”
ROTC cadets joined the group, using weighted vests, about 50 lbs., to simulate the hoplite armor of the Spartiates. Students from Classics Club also participated.
"Learning while being physically active helps with remembering," John Fiedler, ROTC member and construction management major, said. "Plus, it is fun hitting people with pool noodles."
After the battle, Benton and the students used PVC pipes to reenact Macedonian hoplite phalanx maneuvers, which "involve serious coordination," he said.
Benton is an associate professor in the Department of Classics and Religious Studies.
Experiential learning in action in the College of Arts and Sciences!
