"Question about sheilds in Alexander's army" Topic

I'm starting on an Alexander era Macedonian army and have a question about shields. My research seems to indicate that the Phalangites didn't paint their shields but the Hypaspists did, similar to an earlier era hoplite. I expect that there is no iron clad rule about this, but does that sound about right?

I don't think there's enough information to say for sure one way or another. Do what you think is proper based on your research.

Each unit in my army has a unique shield design so you can tell them apart at a distance.

I use the lovely transfers from Little Big Man Studios. He has some fine shield designs, and fast, first-rate service.

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nice stuff here:

I've been using the ones from this list, as they seem to fit the shields I am using rather nicely:

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I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion, Captain, because Macedonian shields are one of those subjects that produce quite a bit of debate; but I'm guessing that it may have something to do with the Alexander Sarcophagus infantry, who are shown with hoplite shields with various painted blazons? We don't really know whether these men are meant to represent hypaspists, pezetairoi phalangites, individual officers, or something else.

The smaller, rimless "Macedonian" phalanx shield was already in use – it is shown on some coins of Philip (http://www.ascsa.edu.gr/pdf/uploads/hesperia/148374.pdf figure 48) and also on some that have been attributed to the end of Alexander's reign (such as link tenth one down). This type has the patterning with a star or other device in a central circle and patterns round the edge, and surviving later examples have this patterning worked in relief on the bronze shield-facing, not painted.

So I'd say that the distinction is one of shield type, not regiment. If your figures have "Macedonian" shields, give them embossed circle-and-crescent shields; if they have Argive shields, give them Sarcophagus-style figures of gods.

And remember that the hypaspists became "silver shields" with the re-issue of equipment in India, so it also depends on the exact date of your army.

A second for Little Big Man Studios. I used the portrait of Alexander transfers for my HAT Hypaspists. Thye work great for all 1/72 HAT figures but not so much for Zvezda. Besides, their pikemen have the embossed shields GurKhan was describing.