"Hoplite shields in duels" Topic
3 Posts
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Adrian66 | 19 Apr 2014 2:23 p.m. PST |
I've seen numerous re-enactors claim the hoplite shield is useless in a duel because it has little maneuverability. This is based on sparring with others. I believe its useless in sparring for the same reason a ball and chain is. Its to easy to injure your opponent. When ball and chain is used, you can see them aimed specifically at the shield, not the opponent, who would be the target in a real fight. Consider the hoplite shield – large, heavy and solid potentially covered in bronze. As a static defence against a mobile opponent, it may lack something but if used aggressively, even as a weapon, it can be devastating. You advance hard and fast on your opponent who probably has little time to think of attacking. If he stands, then he gets slammed by the shield which may open him up for attack or he backs away. Either way, he's not getting a chance to effectively attack you. Hitting him with the edge of the shield would spoil his day too, since the shield is a heavy mass propelled from the elbow instead of a punch which weaker. |
x42brown | 19 Apr 2014 2:37 p.m. PST |
A hoplon was intended to encourage group combat and was not help in a manner for single combat. A shield of that size with a centre grip could do all you suggest but the hoplon less so. YouTube link I hope I put up the correct link but I'm a bit groggy to check. x42 |
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