![]() ![]() The Hoplites, in its diverse forms, remained in vogue for a period of about 700 years and disappeared only during the reign of Alexander the Great that is during the 4th century BC. Though initially its presence or absence in warfare did not make much of a difference yet in the subsequent wars when more innovations came to be made in these weapons, these weapons proved to be real assets. ![]() It is believed that many of these would be mercenary troops which were hired from the regions lying on the outskirts of Greece. There were an increase in the use of light infantry like peltasts (javelin throwers) and archers as well. ![]() Peloponnesian Warĭuring the Peloponnesian war, a slight innovation was observed. Another advantage of attacking in such a manner was that it kept the army of soldiers alert during a combat at a particular time rather than to just be limited up to the first few ranks. These frontal attacks were very difficult for the enemy to handle. I use 'Greek' in a wide sense including Greek-influenced Italian states such as Campania, from where most late 4th century depictions of hoplons come from. The phalanx presented a shield wall along with a bunch of spears pointing to the enemy thereby actually performing frontal attacks on them. Most of the shields shown here are 'hoplons', a few are peltas or similar, there are also a few parablemata (shield aprons) unless noted all are carried by warriors on foot rather than mounted. The hoplites would lock their shields together and then few of the foremost of soldiers would then project their spears out over the first rank of shields. The Hoplite Phalanx belonging to the Archaic and Classical periods of Greece was a formation in which the hoplites would line up in ranks in close order. Though there are no records which point out that there was any drill practice which was carried out but there are glimpses on vases as well as on statues which indicate faintly towards a drill movement.īut one thing which can be stated with much certainty is that there was no formal training for side arms like Axe or sword since these were considered to side weapons. These shields traditionally belong to Archaic times, but it is not impossible that they survived later.It would be an impossible task to even think that the hoplites did not undergo any formal training to be a part of the army. These are so-called Boeotian type shields, more oval in shape and having two notches on the side. Some classic hoplite shields differ from this model. The shield, along with the spear, is the Greek equipment par excellence, so the loss of the shield is considered a terrible act of cowardice, condemnable in most Greek cities. Its effectiveness and resistance in the heart of melee is far superior to that of wicker shields, traditionally used by the Persians and Egyptians. Heavy about 6 kg, it is especially useful in group combat, where each soldier relies on those of his comrades to protect himself. ![]() In reality, the word hoplon refers not only to the hoplite’s shield, but to all his equipment collectively. This large shield (Diameter: approximately 97 cm) is particular to the Greeks and is one of the tools necessary for the phalanx. It is commonly stated that ancient Greek hoplites are named after the kind of large, round, wooden shield they carried, which was supposedly known as a hoplon. The shield is made of wood allows the hoplite to rest it on his left shoulder to relieve his arm, awaiting shock with the enemy. The shield is both an offensive and defensive weapon: it is used to ward off blows but also to push to break down enemy lines. Towards the end of the eighth century BC, the ancient Greeks invented a large, round shield ( aspis) that was to dominate Greek warfare from that point onwards. practice of having a gorgon's head blazon on one's hoplite shield turns this threat onto the enemy. In the back, it has leather and rope restraints. Greek shields from at least the later eighth century BC onwards were often decorated with abstract or figurative blazons. On the inside of the shield was a form of double grip. The shield is made of hand painted plywood. Crucial to the hoplite shield design was the concave, bowl shape of the shield. It is round and concave in shape and has a cuff (porpax) on its internal face, which allows it to be worn. Hand painted replica of the shield of ancient Greece, Spartan Hoplite, used by the hoplites of the city-states of ancient Greece. ![]()
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