Aspis

As hoplon ( Greek: όπλον = weapon), also Aspis is called the shield of the hoplites in Ancient Greece nowadays.

Important Note for term " hoplon "

The historically correct name of the shield is Aspis ( Άσπις ). Hoplon ( Όπλον ) denotes a weapon in general. The Panoplia ( Πανοπλία ) was thus, for example, the totality of the self- applied by the hoplite equipment. Among others, depending on the epoch consisting of helmet, breastplate, leg protection, lance, sword, etc. The erroneous name, however, has a shield, inter alia, naturalized in Germany. In Greece the word ' Hoplo ' ( όπλο ) stands still for a weapon, but today usually describes a ballistic handgun. Since the difference between hoplon and Aspis in Greece is known, used eg for marketing reasons the name Aspis also the name of a bank: Aspis Bank or the insurance ASPIS pronoia Insurance. So the word suggests, according to its etymology, in connection with a bank or insurance, trust and stability. The word Aspis, also called Aspida ( Ασπίδα ), still stands for a shield.

Description and Use

The 80-100 centimeters by measuring plate was circular, curved outward and had a reinforced edge. Rim and body were made of wood. From the outside, he was clothed with a thin layer (2-3 mm) made ​​of bronze. The edge was decorated according to the times by bronze works. It is also known that the shields could be sharpened at the edge, which they were to be cut weapon. In the museum of Ancient Olympia in Greece impressive shields and their bronze molds are in the exhibition rooms.

The first support point of the plate for attachment to the forearm of the porpax. The porpax was a buckle made ​​of bronze adjusted ( approximately like the letter omega, Ω ) and was individually on the left forearm of a hoplite. The Hoplite threaded speak on porpax, which was shaped like a tube, the left forearm, and covered with his hand the Antilabe. The porpax included as the upper third of the forearm. Thus, the shield could be done, you had to include the porpax opposite Antilabe with your hand.

Another feature of the inside of a shield was at six points, in the form of a Ektagons ( Griech: hexagon) mounted finger-thick cord. These formed on the left hand sign the so-called Antilabe ( Greek: αντιλαβή = counter stop). The Antilabe was the second powers and stop point for the hand of the left arm shield. Furthermore, the shields were often lined inside with leather, which prevented a painful elbow actuator on bare wood.

History

The Aspis ( hoplon ) is known from illustrations dating back to the 7th century BC, and replaced the hitherto customary among the Greeks, consisting of basket and Animal Skin, 8- elongated shape and Boeotian shields. Around the same time seems to have been introduced in its classical form, the Greek phalanx. May affect the development of the shield that the phalanx, and vice versa.

From the 4th century BC appeared smaller versions of the shield, which could also be covered with leather instead of metal in many cases. These were, for example, of the Phalanx Athens since Iphicrates, but especially used by the Macedonian phalanx.

Philip II of Macedon, reformed the usual phalanx formation and led, among other things long spears, which sarissae. . (Greek: " Σάρισσα ) The Sarissa, which was about 5-7 feet long, reaching a weight that could exceed 5 kg So it was necessary for the Sarissaträger, called phalangites to be able to hold the lance with both hands.. however, to give the front ranks of the phalanx protection, the plate referred Thong has been reduced, but with the help of a Telamon attached to the shoulder.

However, it is already occupied at the time of the Mycenaean culture blossom, that the Greeks have carried their shields with the help of a leather or fabric belt, the Telamon mentioned on the back for transport.