![]() ![]() Men from Mantineia were carrying the trident, Messenians carried an M, Syconians carried an E, and troops from Tega a T. During the Classical era, some cities or family clans started using uniform shield symbols, such as the famous L (Lambda) for the Spartans. The front of the shield was often painted, originally with individual motives. This was neccessary, because the minimum 10kg weight of the Aspis would make parrying and keeping the balance impossible otherwise. The Aspis was shaped like a bowl with a perpendicular rim, so that the Hoplite could rest the weight of the shield on his shoulder. Also on the inside was a rope that could be used to carry the shield on the back during marches, and to get a better grip of it in combat. ![]() The left arm of the Hoplite was placed in a grip called Porpax on the inside of the shield. It measured about one meter in diameter and was constructed from wooden planks covered by a layer of bronze metal. The shield - called Aspis - formed the core of their equipment granting protection for the whole torso. This fact is greatly reflected in their equipment. As such, they had to be right in the heat of the battle. ![]() The Hoplite was the backbone of the infantry, and the backbone of the Classical Greek military in general. The correct term for the shield is Aspis. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn't mean shield, but armament in general. The name Hoplite (greek Oplites) comes from the name of the armament of this heavy infantry, the Hoplon (greek Oplon). ![]()
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