Shield

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In ancient Greece, shields were essential pieces of military equipment used by hoplites (heavily armed foot soldiers) and other warriors. The shape, size, and material of Greek shields varied across time periods and city-states, but they all shared the common purpose of providing protection in battle. The primary types of shields in ancient Greece were the hoplon, aspis, and thyreos, each serving distinct roles in warfare.

The most iconic and widely used shield in ancient Greece was the hoplon, also known as the aspis. This round shield, typically about 3 feet in diameter, was made of wood and covered with a layer of bronze for additional protection. The hoplon featured a central boss (a raised, often circular projection) that was designed to deflect blows and to serve as a grip. The shield’s distinctive feature was its heavy weight, which made it a formidable piece of armor for close combat. The hoplon was designed to be carried on the left arm, allowing the right hand to wield a spear or sword. This shield played a central role in the famous Greek phalanx formation, where soldiers stood side by side, interlocking their shields to create a nearly impenetrable defense.

The aspis, though often used interchangeably with the hoplon, can refer more specifically to the shape and construction of the shield, which had a slightly deeper curve than the hoplon, offering greater protection to the soldier’s body. The aspis was typically large and circular, made of layers of wood for durability, and it was also sometimes reinforced with bronze or iron edging. As the backbone of Greek heavy infantry, it allowed soldiers to form the tight, overlapping shield walls essential to the success of the phalanx formation in battles like those at Marathon and Plataea.

Another important shield in ancient Greece was the thyreos, which was used by light infantry and often associated with the peltasts, who were lightly armed soldiers. Unlike the hoplon, the thyreos was rectangular and had a curved shape. It was generally lighter and smaller, making it more suitable for fast-moving troops who relied on agility rather than heavy armor. The thyreos was made of leather or light wood and was often reinforced with bronze. This shield was designed to be carried with a strap over the shoulder, allowing for greater maneuverability in battle and in skirmishes, where peltasts would fight at a distance and retreat quickly.

Antigonos II Gonatas 277-239 BCE Apros, Thrace 260-250 BCE Arcadius 395-401 CE Argos, Argolis 280-260 BCE Ariarathes IV 220-163 BCE Ariarathes IX Eusebes 88/7 BCE Ariarathes VI Epiphanes 118/7 BCE Ariarathes VII 104/3 BCE Ariarathes X 42-36 BCE Ariobarzanes II 63-52 BCE Ariobarzanes III 52-42 BCE Arsames I 240 BCE Asia Minor. Uncertain. 250 BCE Aspendos, Pamphylia 4th-3rd c. BCE Athens, Attica 264-267 CE Augustus 27 BCE – 14 CE Clodius Albinus 193-195 CE Commodus 180-192 CE Constantine II 317-337 CE Constantine the Great 319 CE Crispus 322-323 CE Domitian 90 CE Dyonysios Herakleia Pontika 337-305 BCE Eumenes I 255-241 BCE Eupolemos 295-280 BCE Eupolemos 295-280 BCE Gratian 379 CE Herennius Etruscus 250-251 CE Julian II The Apostate 361-363 CE Kleopatra of Macedon 360-325 BCE Koinon of Macedon 222-235 CE Koinon of Macedon 222-235 CE Koinon of Macedon 222-235 CE Koinon of Macedon 238-244 CE Koinon of Macedon 238-244 CE Koinon of Macedon 244-249 CE Koroneia, Boeotia 400-350 BCE Koronta, Akarnania 300-250 BCE Kyparissia, Messenia 193-211 CE Larissa Kremaste 302-286 BCE Licinius II 321-324 CE Lokris Opuntti 369-338 BCE Lysanias 40-36 BCE Lysimachos 287-281 BCE Macedonian Interregnum 288-277 BCE Marcus Aurelius 166 CE Marcus Aurelius 172 CE Menander/Kleitos (White) 323-319 BCE Mesembria, Thrace 3rd century BCE Metropolis, Akarnania 300-250 BCE Miletos 320 BCE Mykalessos, Boeotia 400-375 BCE Nikokreon of Salamis 323-317 BCE Nikomedes I 280-250 BCE Orchomenos(?) 336-323 BCE Orchomenos, Arkadia 350-300 BCE Orchomenos, Boeotia 371-364 BCE Orchomenos, Boeotia 395-364 BCE Pelinna, Thessaly 425-350 BCE Philip I 247-249 CE Philopator 20 BCE – 17 CE Polyrhenion, Crete 330-280 BCE Procopius 365-366 CE Prusias I 230-182 BCE Pyrrhos 287-285 BCE or 274-273 BCE Salamis, Attica 350-318 BCE Salamis, Islands off Attica 339-318 BCE Seleukos I Nikator 296-281 BCE Selge, Pisidia 300-119 BCE Skarpheia, Lokris 400-338 BCE Stasioikos II of Marion 330-312 BCE Tanagra, Boeotia 4th century BCE Thebai, Thessaly 302-286 BCE Thebes 368-364 BCE Thespiai, Boeotia 390-350 BCE Trikka, Thessaly 400-300 BCE Tyrrhenoi, Sicily 354-336 BCE Urimilk III of Byblos 333 BCE Ziailas 250-230 BCE