More re-released miniatures from our purchase of Immortal Miniatures – this time, unarmored hoplites.
Only the wealthier Greeks would have been able to afford the type of body armour, ornate helm and shield we imagine when the word 'hoplite' is mentioned. The reality is that the majority of hoplites in a Greek army would be largely unarmored. These sculpts represent these nicely…
The majority of hoplites in a Greek army of this time would have been unarmored, carrying only a spear and shield to protect themselves. Each man was expected to equip himself at his own expense, a shield and spear being the minimum to stand in the ranks of the hoplites. Any less, and he would have to join the psiloi. If a man could afford a helmet, it would probably be crestless, as a horse hair crest would be an extra expense! Again, greaves could be bought, but only the richest could afford full hoplite panoply.
A simple linen or wool tunic would have been worn (it is highly unlikely that a hoplite would have fought naked). As with other hoplites, sandals were not worn in battle at this time.
These new metal miniatures are ideal to represent a unit of poorer hoplites, or to mix into your existing plastic units.