Thureos

The Thureos was a Greek, oval shield.

Description

This oval-shaped shield was covered in wood and leather. In some variations of the Thureos was almost rectangular. The shield boss was centered and had provided iron and outwardly with spines. When Thureos the edges with bronze or iron were strengthened, whereby sword blows could be more easily parried. The shield was fitted with a leather strap, which was very convenient for marches. The Thureos was slightly heavier than the Pelte and has been mainly used by heavy infantry. The signs of the army were painted with colors on the plate.

History

The origin of this plate is in Thrace. It spread in the 3rd century BC in Greece and existed in parallel to Pelte. Thus, there exist three main types of Greek shields in Ancient Greece: The Thureos that Pelte and hoplon. The Thureos remained until the arrival of the Romans in Greece.