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The aspis measured at least 0.9 metres (2 ft 11 in) in diameter and weighed about 7.3 kilograms (16 lb), and it was about 25–38 millimetres (0.98–1.50 in) thick. [2] This large shield was made possible partly by its shape, which allowed it to be supported comfortably on the shoulder. The revolutionary part of the shield was, in fact, the grip.
The single most important element of the panoply – the piece which gives its name to the hoplite himself – is the aspis shield, also known as a hoplon or the Argive shield. Approximately three feet in diameter, the aspis is primarily identified by its distinctive hollow bowl shape (5 or 6 inches deep), 3” offset rim, and unique two-point grip system.
- Origin of The Aspis Shield
- Design
- Construction
- The Shields of Olympia
The Greek hoplites and cavalry frequently used the aspis (also known as the hoplon) between the 8th and 4th centuries BC. In fact, the word hoplite derives from “hoplon.” As new offensive weapons with higher penetrating strength, manufacturing processes, and different forms of fighting formations were adopted, the material, shape, and means of grip...
The aspis was a round shield with a big bowl and a substantially reinforced, virtually flat rim. The shield measured between 35 and 43 inches (90–110 cm) in diameter. Glued together, the shield was made of thin pieces of wood. Fine leather coated the inside of the aspis, which also had a riveted brass clasp and a leather strap at the edge. A sheet ...
The Homeric aspis shields were likely constructed from many layers of leather that were laminated with glue and then stitched to a wicker weave. The figure-of-eight shield paintings at Knossos archaeological site show this stitching vividly. This shield had a large protrusion and was likely fashioned from bronze and rawhide. The shield’s edges were...
After the battle, it was customary for the victorious general to dedicate a shield with an inscription to one of the shrines. Many of these shields have been found at Olympia. Some have the entire front lined with bronze, others only the rim. All non-metallic parts of these shields have disappeared, although many of the interior fittings have been ...
The most vital part of the panoply was the aspis, a large, round shield commonly made from a layer of bronze, wood, and leather. The aspis was around a meter in diameter, and weighed around 7.3 kg (16 lbs), making it uncomfortable to hold for long periods. [12]
May 14, 2024 · First used by Greek hoplites in the late eighth or early seventh centuries BC, the large circular shield was more than just a piece of defensive equipment. It was perhaps the single most important item in the panoply of ancient armour. This is the story of the aspis. For centuries, the iconic hoplon shield was a pivotal component of ancient ...
The aspis measured at least 0.9 metres (2 ft 11 in) in diameter and weighed about 7.3 kilograms (16 lb), and it was about 25–38 millimetres (0.98–1.50 in) thick. This large shield was made possible partly by its shape, which allowed it to be supported comfortably on the shoulder. The revolutionary part of the shield was, in fact, the grip.
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Jun 25, 2019 · Diodorus Siculus straightforwardly says that they “had been called hoplites on account of their shield the hoplon ” (15.44.3). But this is most certainly an anachronism. As John Lazenby and David Whitehead poignantly argued, in the period of its supremacy, this type of shield was called an aspis by the Greeks (J.F. Lazenby and D. Whitehead ...
