Aspis
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For the poem traditionally attributed to Hesiod, see Shield of Heracles. For the Alcestis Shipping Co ship, see SS Aspis. For the comedy by Menander, see Aspis (Menander).
"Aspis" (
/ˈæspɨs/; Ancient Greek: ἀσπίς) is the generic term for the word shield. The aspis carried by Greek infantry (hoplites) of various periods is often referred to as a hoplon (Ancient Greek: ὅπλον).
According to Diodorus Siculus:[1]
... and the infantry who had formerly been called "hoplites" because of their heavy shield (aspis), then had their name changed to "peltasts" from the pelta they carried.—Diodorus Siculus. The Library, 15.44.3.[2]
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Construction
A hoplon shield was a deeply-dished shield made of wood. Some shields had a thin sheet of bronze on the outer face, often just around the rim. In some periods, the convention was to decorate the aspis; in others, it was usually left plain. Probably the most famous aspis decoration is that of Sparta: a capital lambda (Λ). From the late 5th century BC, Athenian hoplites commonly used the Little Owl, while the shields of Theban hoplites were sometimes decorated with a sphinx, or the club of Heracles.
See also
References
- ^ Diodorus Siculus. Loeb Classical Library, 12 volumes, Greek texts and facing English translation: Harvard University Press, 1933 to 1967. Translation by C. H. Oldfather up to Volume 6; Vol. 7 by C. L. Sherman, Vol. 8 by C. Bradford Welles, Vols. 9 and 10 by Russel M. Geer, Vol. 11 by F. R. Walton.
- ^ "hoi [men] proteron apo tôn aspidôn hoplitai kaloumenoi tote [de] apo tês peltês peltastai metônomasthêsan"
External links
id:Aspis perisai
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