![]() About the height of a man, this tower-shaped aspis was a massive weapon with a rectangular shape, a rounded top, and a vertical bulge. Aspis Shield in Mycenaean Civilization (1750–1050 BC) Tower-Shaped AspisĪfter 1400 BC, a new style of shield manufactured from the same materials replaced the figure-of-eight-shaped aspis shield. Homer very certainly had curved shields like the figure-of-eight shield in his mind. However, these shields were employed by the Sea Peoples of the 12th century BC and by the Greeks of Homer’s time. Some accounts depict this Homeric shield-inspired by the aspis-as a round shield, and they are quite uncommon in Mycenaean artwork. “Ajax came up bearing his shield in front of him like a wall – a shield of bronze with seven folds of oxhide – the work of Tychios, who lived in Hyle and was by far the best worker in leather.” Perseus Under Philologic: Hom. ![]() According to the Iliad, Agamemnon’s aspis was so big that it could protect a man on both sides. There are many other references to this large shield. Homer paints a vivid picture of Hector’s massive shield. “So saying, Hector of the flashing helm departed, and the black hide at either end smote against his ankles and his neck, even the rim that ran about the outermost edge of his bossed shield.” Homer, Iliad, Book 6, line 116 – The aspis shield was brought forward during the battle and then placed on the back again in case of a retreat. The telamon, a Greek leather strap, held this shield in place on the warrior’s back, freeing his/her hands. When leather was stretched and cured, it became harder for arrows and even spears to pierce it. The aspis shields were often fashioned from ephemeral components, including a wooden frame domed with two stacked lobes to create a hazy figure-8 shape and cow skins that were sewn onto the frame. Koronaios, Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, cropped and enhanced from original) History of the Aspis Shield Aspis Shield in Minoan Civilization (3500–1100 BC) Figure-of-Eight Shield The figure-of-eight shield, Mycenaean Greece fresco. The shield wouldn’t have kept its form without these bars placed inside. For defense, Homer mentions about two “bars” on his aspis shield, which are most likely for tensioning. The shield’s edges were so rounded inward that the warrior could have stood inside of them. This shield had a large protrusion and was likely fashioned from bronze and rawhide. The figure-of-eight shield paintings at Knossos archaeological site show this stitching vividly. The Homeric aspis shields were likely constructed from many layers of leather that were laminated with glue and then stitched to a wicker weave. Construction Hoplites and their aspis shields. An aspis shield was between 13 and 18 lb (6–8 kg) in weight. A sheet of bronze could be used to cover the shield’s outside, or it could be painted and adorned. Fine leather coated the inside of the aspis, which also had a riveted brass clasp and a leather strap at the edge. Glued together, the shield was made of thin pieces of wood. The shield measured between 35 and 43 inches (90–110 cm) in diameter. The aspis was a round shield with a big bowl and a substantially reinforced, virtually flat rim. Design Two aspis shields with animal figures. 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 gripping the aspis shield evolved as well. The Greek hoplites and cavalry frequently used the aspis (also known as the hoplon) between the 8th and 4th centuries BC. Origin of the Aspis Shield Ancient Greek hoplites charging with their aspis (hoplon) shields. This cold weapon provided great protection, like a “city wall.” According to Hesiod, Heracles wielded an aspis shield. Hoplites, highly armed infantry warriors, were the most common bearers of the aspis in combat. It was constructed of wood and covered with leather. In ancient Greece, the aspis was a huge, circular shield. The term “aspis” is actually a generic term for the ancient Greek word “shield” (ἄσπις). 1100 BC) through the 4th century BC, the aspis shield was a prevalent weapon among ancient Greek heavy infantry. From the time of the Minoan civilization (c.
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