Hoplite Warfare

1
Hoplite Warfare

• Heavily armored infantryman
• Hoplon
• Citizen soldiers
• Equipment was half the body weight

2
Hoplite Warfare
3
Hoplite Warfare
4
Hoplite Warfare
Shield wall fighting formation
5
Hoplite Warfare
Phalanx 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.
6
Hoplite Warfare

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

7
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."

8
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

9
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

10
Hoplite Warfare
11
Hoplite Warfare
12
Hoplite Warfare
13
Hoplite Warfare
14
Hoplite Warfare
15
Hoplite Warfare
16
Hoplite Warfare
17
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

18
Hoplite Warfare

• Hoplon shield
• a large, deeply concave, circular shield made of
  wood and bronze
• about 31-39 inches in diameter

19
Hoplite Warfare
20
Hoplite Warfare

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

21
Hoplite Warfare
22
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

23
Hoplite Warfare
24
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

25
Hoplite Warfare
26
Hoplite Warfare
27
Hoplite Warfare
Doru counterbalanced stabbing spear
28
Hoplite Warfare

• Form fitted muscle breastplate

29
Hoplite Warfare
30
Hoplite Warfare
Short falcata stabbing/slashing sword
31
Hoplite Warfare
Large numbers of hoplites using swords??

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