"The Hoplite Shields" Topic

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The Geometric Period (11th-8th centuries BC) preceded the invention of the hoplite warfare and the hoplite phalanx (about 700 BC). The shields of the Geometric period belonged to two main types: the "Dipylon" type shield and the "Herzsprung" type. The Dipylon shield is named after the Athenian Dipylon gate, where a number of pottery with depictions of that type of shield, was discovered. It was a large and long shield, covering the warrior from chin to knees. It was made of wicker and leather, without excluding further strengthening of wooden parts. Despite its size, the Dipylon shield was light due to its materials. It had a curved form in order to embrace the warrior's body. In the middle of its surface, the Dipylon shield had two semicircular notches for the easier handling of the offensive weapons (spear or sword). Notches also facilitated the hanging (suspension) of the Dipylon shield on the warrior's back, in order not to restrict his elbows when he walked. The shield had at least one central handle for its holding by the warrior in battle, and one or more shoulder belts, in order to hang it on his back when not used. These belts were called "telamones" (τελαμώνες). The shape of the Dipylon shield denotes its origins from the famous Minoan and Mycenaean eight-shaped shield. During the Greek Archaic Era (7th cent – 479 BC), the Dipylon shield was made mostly of bronze and had a smaller size: that is the "Boeotian" type of shield, named after Boeotia, where it was popular…."

Full article here

link

Amicalement
Armand

That purple helmet and purple greaves ensemble is to die for! (chuckle!)

And is that a horse's ass painted as his shield blazon?

Seriously -- I wish I knew where these reenactors get their hoplons from. I need to replace my inferior one badly. This is a good article and I will contact the reenactor group pictured.

It's pretty hard to find realistic hopla – I think I found one place and now I can't locate it again. And even then their hoplon was a bit fake (referring to the inside handles, lack of straps, etc.). If anyone knows please post.

No one even sells a proper Greek chiton, though they're really not hard to make.

Glad you enjoyed it my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

A reenactor friend once told me that constructing his own authentic hoplon was enormously time consuming and labor intensive, and said, "Those Greeks must have been crazy." And he wasn't even making one of the bronze-faced ones the Spartans were known for.

I get his point, altho' it was probably a bit easier for the ancients who had experience, access to the right materials and tools, etc. To think of those workshops turning these out by the hundreds and thousands!

Maybe the hard work for made that became from the servants/slaves?…

Amicalement
Armand