Third, I will discuss the sarissa as an infantry weapon and show in what respects the Macedonian phalanx differed from the older Greek hoplite formation. Second, I will show that both literary and archaeological sources indicate that the Macedonian hypaspists normally employed the spear, hoplite shield, and related equipment. First, I shall consider the precise specifications of the Macedonian sarissa and its concomitant small target in comparison with those of the traditional Greek hoplite spear and shield. Moreover, to gain a proper perspective on the limited role played by sarissa-armed foot, one must examine the evidence for the continued use of the hoplite panoply by the Macedonians. When it is established how the sarissa had to be handled, then one can conceive more accurately both the advantages and weaknesses of military formations armed in this manner. To understand these developments, it is necessary to be clear about the limitations of size and weight of the sarissa, since these factors determined how the weapon could be wielded in battle. Practical phalanx mechanics as a means to shed light on preexisting sources.Īdoption of the sarissa, or long lance, by Macedonian infantry and cavalry brought about important changes in military tactics. Involved the current effort, however, will have the advantage of providingįirsthand observations that supply simple and rational explanations of As with any modern recreation, a certain amount of guesswork is Sources with hands on experience, in this case by actually going out andĪrming a volunteer phalanx on a small scale to see what is both possible and Will provide fresh insight into such details by combining a survey of existing It is hoped that the current investigation Of period (or near period) authors that potentially shed light on such these Shield provided physical cover to the soldier on one's immediate left areĭetails that have remained largely unexplored. Weapons, could the second or third ranks engage the enemy and if the hoplite The stance which individuals took and how farĪpart they stood from their compatriots, the position in which the held their Yet despite this, there is a relatively poor understanding of howĪ phalanx actually worked.

Its organization, supply, evolution and social effects has been covered many Historians and military tacticians alike.

are plenty of historical designs to choose from! On this page, you will find a collection of shield designs as depicted by period ceramics/ You can also find additional designs, conveniently grouped by period on this site.The Greek phalanx has been a subject of study for generations of both when you pick a design for your own hoplon, there. But even during this period, many cities allowed soldiers to choose their own designs. Later on, during the Hellenistic period, there is more evidence of standardised shield designs this was the time when standing armies, employed by the state, become more common. “A Spartan had as an emblem on his shield a fly, and that, too, no bigger than life-size. When some mockingly said that he had done this to escape being noticed, he said, “Rather that I may be noticeable for I come so close to the enemy that my emblem is seen by them in its true size.”

Plutarch tells the story of one Spartan who used a life-sized fly as his shield emblem: There seems little evidence of standardisation, at least up to and including the 5th century: each hoplite chose his own shield design. Hoplite shield design was incredibly varied.

Spiked hoplite shield