Greek Hoplites Essay

The Greek civilisation has undergone several periods of change. The notable period among the Greek civilisation was the archaic and classical period which takes place from 8th century to about 4th century BC. During the archaic period, the term “heavy-armed infantry men” was used to refer to a group of men known during the classical period as “hoplites”. Greek hoplites were mainly composed of higher property classed civilians since the state only provides part of hoplite panoply on rare occasions. The deviation of the name “hoplite” was not solely due to the shield (argis) that they were equipped with, but from their whole equipment known as “hoplite panoply”. The earliest appearance of equipments which were part of hoplite panoply was no early than 750 BC. As indicated from early 675 BC on the Protocorinthian vases, there had not been a standardisation of hoplite panoply; however the types of equipment used as hoplite panoply were similar. The full assembly of panoply as time progressed included the Corinthian helmet, the aspis(hoplon) shield, the corslet(body
The shield known as aspis or hoplon is said to be where the origin of the name “hoplite” derived from. However, as stated previously, the term “hoplite” is not just derived from this shield, but the panoply. The shield is round and is created in about 700 BC. Diodorus states that the term “heavy-armed infantry-men” can be derived from the usage of the shield. The original composition of the shield was mainly wood with a small composition of bronze on its rim (itus). It is a shield that is double-grip which is why there are two handles on the interior of the shield. The composition of the shield by 425 CE was thin bronze. The shield is said to painted blazon and is decorated with an emblem that can be personal. As time progressed, the emblem is replaced with a badge of the state in order to help with the identification of friend or foe on the