An action so significant that a Greek general would mention it in his writings suggests a uniqueness to the motion and the phalanx it self, and contributed to the phalanx emerging as a battle formation unlike anything the world had ever seen before. Gorgon Medusa Authentic Ancient Greek Hoplite Shield (291) 1,800.00 FREE shipping Achilles Shield Wall Plaque Sculpture made of Plaster 35cm (5k) 59.20 73.99 (20 off) Goddess Athena Bronze small Shield with the Gorgon Medusa - Brass Artifact (1.7k) 297.30 330.33 (10 off) FREE shipping Medusa Statue (855) 95. The fact that Thucydides mentions the rightward motion of the phalanx due to the hoplon cannot be ignored. Thucydides states that all Greek armies are alike in there tendency to step right when engaging in battle, as hoplites would out of fear move to cover their unprotected sides with the left half of the hoplite next to them (see Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 7.71). Thucydides mentions the right step motion in his account of the Battle of Manitea in 418 B.C. Allowing a hoplite to utilize the extra portion of his fellow combatant’s shield would also imply that the hoplite phalanx would have a tendency to move right when advancing in combat (see “Formations and Tactics”). The double grip method of holding the shield offers protection on the center and left side of the body, but leaves the right side of the body exposed, unless the hoplite utilizes the extra, redundant portion of the shield owned by the hoplite to the right of him. None of these 'pendants' on the hoplites shields have reached us. Two Greek hoplites engaged in battle utilizing the hoplite shield.Primarily, the shield serves as protection for the hoplite that holds it, as well as the hoplite to his immediate left. They depicted on them both lion heads and the head of Medusa the Gorgon, a swimming dolphin and a soaring raven, three running legs in the form of a swastika, a spiked club and much, much more.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |