Filtering out and learning what is and isn't on the syllabus

[brbstudying]

Hi guys,

We're learning about Sparta. I know the "role of the Spartan army", and that is on the syllabus. However, my teacher has added extra information on the "role and organisation of the Spartan army", basically learning:

What was a hoplite?
What was a hoplon?
How long was a Spartan soldiers spear?
What was the structure of a phalanx?
What hand did the hoplite hold his shield?
What material was his helmet made from?
What was the lochos?
Define pentecostyes
Define enomotai
What does Thucydides tell us about the army?
Why was the Spartan army superior to other Greek armies?
What was the ‘laconian countermarch’?
What was the ‘anastrophe’?

Should I go ahead and learn this, even though it's not the syllabus? Or is it just superfluous information?

Thanks!

[beatroot]

Hey there and welcome to the forums!

The specifics for the Spartan army isn't really necessary to have long notes for (ie; size of spear, material of helmet, hoplon/hoplite) HOWEVER it wouldn't hurt to have a sentence about each specific in your notes. You'll never know if this pops up in your exam/assessments and it's better to be safe than sorry. Though reflecting back on what I just said, the specifics are kind of assumed knowledge as well. You should know what a hoplite is.

However I believe you should have notes on the following points:
- Structure of phalanx (or just a general idea)
- Lochos, pentecostyles, enomotai = essentially the structure of the Spartan army
- Thucydides' thoughts about the army
- Why Spartan army was superior to other Greek armies
- Laconian countermarch (?)
- Anastrophe (?)

If you're able to draw information from outside the syllabus, the markers will see that you're putting effort and actually exploring more information beyond this already content heavy subject. Main reason why I bolded the structure of the Spartan army and Thucydides is because there's probably a good chance of it appearing in the exam. The structure of the army can be a 3/5 marker whilst Thucydides could be the given source for the 15 marker. I added a (?) next to laconian countermarch and anastrophe is because I personally didn't learn that in class. Though the information might be useful. Keen to hear Katie and Susie's thoughts

At the end of the day, it really wouldn't hurt to add more information and reading more stuff even though it's not on the syllabus. Ancient History is essentially a subject that solely relies on details and evidence/sources (A LOT OF SOURCES). If you can show the markers you know information beyond the syllabus, your efforts will be rewarded at the end. Coming from my personal experience, my teacher kept giving us the specifics on Spartan marriage customs. I really didn't think it was relevant but ended up adding them into my notes anyways just in case. Thanks goodness I did do that because Spartan marriage customs was the 5 marker in my HSC exam (2017).

Hope this helps

[katie,rinos]

Hey,
Welcome to AN!!
Just adding on to Bea’s amazing answer:

I think you should know most of the Greek definitions (such as hoplite/hoplon) as they are assumed knowledge and the more technical term compared to soldier. I also think you need to have the structure of the army and Thucydides thoughts. Thucydides (or any ancient/modern historian) wrote about the structure of the Spartan army and could be used to back up your points in an answer.

I think you should have even just a sentence or two in your notes about the Laconian countermarch and anastrophe as they were both manoeuvres/tactics of the Spartan army that led to them being successful.
-   Loconian countermarch-Reversing the position of the phalanx to deal with approaching enemies in the rear.
-   Anastrophe- a fake retreat followed by fast u turn, reformation of wall of shields and fast march (was used in Thermopylae).

It’s a lot better to have heaps of information as this could be asked as a 15 mark question for Sparta and because Ancient definitely relies on detail and sources (both Ancient/modern historians and archaeological) throughout your responses.

Hope this helps!