Hoplite Warfare

• Heavily armored infantryman

• Hoplon• Citizen soldiers• Equipment was half

the body weight

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Shield wall fighting formation

Hoplite WarfarePhalanx fighting formation

A hoplite was protected by the right half of his own shield (carried on his left arm) and the left

half of the shield of the man on his right.

Hoplite Warfare•Hoplites who had lost their shields in battle were dishonored while those who had lost their helmets and breastplates were not

Hoplite Warfare•King Demaratos of Sparta said "Because the latter (helmets and breastplates) they donned for their own protection, but the shield for the common good of the entire line."

Hoplite Warfare

• The strength of hoplites was shock combat

• Two armies would smash into each other in hopes of breaking or encircling the enemy force's line

Hoplite Warfare

• A pushing match, with the men in the rear trying to force the front lines through those of the enemy

• Battles rarely lasted more than an hour

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Corinthian helmet• bronze helmet:• covered the entire

head and neck • slits for the eyes and

mouth• large curved

projection protected the nape of the neck

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplon shield• a large, deeply

concave, circular shield made of wood and bronze

• about 31-39 inches in diameter

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

• supported by strap in the center of the back face of the shield, and a leather or cord grip at the edge

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

• warrior's left arm to slide through up to the forearm, while the hand held the grip located at the edge of the shield

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

• sharp concave shape of these shields:– inside of the rim could be rested against the

warrior's shoulder– brace the shield against powerful blows – take some of the strain off of his arms

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite WarfareDoru counterbalanced stabbing spear

Hoplite Warfare

• Form fitted muscle breastplate

Hoplite Warfare

Hoplite Warfare

Short falcata stabbing/slashing sword

Hoplite Warfare

Large numbers of hoplites using swords??

•Individual hand to hand combat•Out of shield wall protective formation