![]() The hoplite carried a large circular shield ( hoplon or aspis) some 80 cm (30 in.) in diameter and weighing as much as 8 kg. A corselet or breastplate ( thorax) of bronze or leather (later reduced to a laminated linen vest to save weight - a linothorax), bronze greaves ( knemides) to protect the shins, and sometimes arm-guards were also worn. Protection was provided by a leather-lined bronze helmet which could vary in design, was often crested, and protected the head, neck, and face. No doubt many hoplites also carried a dagger ( encheiridion) as extra insurance. The sword was also of iron with a straight or sometimes curved blade ( machaira or kopis) no more than 60 cm in length. The spear measured on average 2.5 metres (8 ft.) in length and was fitted with a bronze or iron blade and a four-sided end spike ( sauroter). The principal weapons of a hoplite infantryman were a long ash wood spear ( doru) and a short sword ( xiphos). The principal weapons of Greek hoplites were a long ash wood spear ( doru) & a short sword ( xiphos). Sparta, where all male citizens over 20 were members of a permanent professional army, was the notable exception to this approach of only calling up an army when absolutely needed and, consequently, their hoplites were famed for their military prowess. The most famous of these was the Sacred Band of Thebes, a unit composed of 150 pairs of male lovers who swore to defend their partner to the death. Other cities across ancient Greece followed a similar policy which meant that hoplites were not professional soldiers and often lacked sufficient military training, although some states did maintain a small elite professional unit, the epilektoi. Their concave nature offered substantial protection, but made the use of weapons somewhat difficult as it restricted arm movement.A hoplite (from ta hopla meaning tool or equipment) was the most common type of heavily armed foot-soldier in ancient Greece from the 7th to 4th centuries BCE, and most ordinary citizens of Greek city-states with sufficient means were expected to equip and make themselves available for the role when necessary.Īthens had a system of compulsory military service for 18-20-year-olds, but during a war, all male citizens up to the age of 60 could be called up to the armed forces. Early oval scuta evolved into the rectangular, semi-cylindrical versions, which were used by the foot soldiers of the early Empire to great effect. The most famous of the Roman shields, great scuta were large and either rectangular or oval. Roman shields also featured a boss or umbo, a thick, round, wooden or metal protrusion that deflected blows and served as a place to mount the grip. Some Roman shields were strengthened by plating their edges with a copper alloy, though this was eventually abandoned in favour of using stitched rawhide, which bound the shields more effectively. Many shields were based on Greek aspis or hoplon, which were round and deeply concave like a dish.Īspides were wooden and sometimes plated with bronze. ![]() The shapes and styles of Roman shields differed according to use and timeframe. Roman soldiers or legionaires were well protected by leather and iron armour, helmets and shields, called scuta. Early shields were typically constructed of wood and animal hide and later reinforced with metal. A logical evolution in armed combat, shields were used to block attacks from hand-held weapons like swords as well as projectile weapons such as arrows. ![]() The use of shields in battle originates in pre-history and is present in the earliest known human civilisations.
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