Crazy Tactics Gone Awry

Long Past Warriors

If you don't like learning, you don't have to.

STORY TIME!!!!

First, the hoplite.

Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields.  The hoplites were primarily represented by free citizens—propertied farmers and artisans—who were able to afford the bronze armor suit and weapons (estimated at a third to a half of its able-bodied adult male population). Hoplites were not professional soldiers and often lacked sufficient military training. Although some states did maintain a small elite professional unit, hoplite soldiers were relied on heavily and made up the bulk of ancient Greek armies of the time.

Each hoplite provided his own equipment. Their armor, also called panoply, was made of full bronze, weighing nearly 32 kilogrames. The average farmer-peasant hoplite typically wore no armor, carrying only a shield, a spear, and perhaps a helmet plus a secondary weapon. The richer upper-class hoplites typically had a bronze cuirass of either the bell or muscled variety, a bronze helmet with cheekplates, as well as greaves and other armor. The design of the helmets used varied through time. Often the helmet was decorated with one, sometimes more horsehair crests, and/or bronze animal horns and ears. Helmets were often painted as well. The Thracian helmet had a large visor to further increase protection. In later periods, linen breastplates called linothorax were used, as they were tougher and cheaper to make. The linen was 0.5-centimetre thick.

Hoplites carried a large concave shield called an aspis (often referred to as a hoplon), measuring between 80–100 centimetres in diameter and weighing between 6.5–8 kilograms. The hoplon shield was put together in three layers: the center layer was made of thick wood, the outside layer facing the enemy was made of bronze, and leather made up the inside of the shield. The revolutionary part of the shield was, in fact, the grip. Known as an Argive grip, it placed the handle at the edge of the shield, and was supported by a leather fastening (for the forearm) at the centre. These two points of contact eliminated the possibility of the shield swaying to the side after being struck, and as a result soldiers rarely lost their shields. The large hoplon shields, designed for pushing ahead, were the most essential equipment for the hoplites.

The main offensive weapon used was a 2.4–4.5 metre long and 2.5-centimetre in diameter spear called a doru or dory. The spearhead was usually a curved leaf shape, while the rear of the spear had a spike called a sauroter ("lizard-killer") which was used to stand the spear in the ground (hence the name). It was also used as a secondary weapon if the main shaft snapped, or for the rear ranks to finish off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them. Held underarm, the thrusts would have been less powerful but under more control, and vice versa. It seems likely that both motions were used, depending on the situation. If attack was called for, an overarm motion was more likely to break through an opponent's defence. The upward thrust is more easily deflected by armor due to its lesser leverage. However, when defending, an underarm carry absorbed more shock and could be 'couched' under the shoulder for maximum stability. It should also be said that an overarm motion would allow more effective combination of the aspis and doru if the shield wall had broken down, while the underarm motion would be more effective when the shield had to be interlocked with those of one's neighbours in the battle-line. Hoplites in the rows behind the lead would almost certainly have made overarm thrusts. The rear ranks held their spears underarm, and raised their shields upwards at increasing angles. This was an effective defence against missiles, deflecting their force.

Hoplites also carried a sword, mostly a short sword called a xiphos (Pyrrha: "Just like my sword."), but later also longer and heavier types. The short sword was a secondary weapon, used if or when their spears were broken or lost, or if the phalanx broke rank. The xiphos usually had a blade around 60 centimetres long; however, those used by the Spartans were often only 30–45 centimetres long. This very short xiphos would be very advantageous in the press that occurred when two lines of hoplites met, capable of being thrust through gaps in the shieldwall into an enemy's unprotected groin or throat, while there was no room to swing a longer sword. Such a small weapon would be particularly useful after many hoplites had started to abandon body armor. Hoplites could also alternatively carry the kopis, a heavy knife with a forward-curving blade.

Pyrrha: "Thank you for listening."

(y/n): "No, Pyrrha, thank YOU. As well as you two, who helped by showing of the armor and weapons. Any questions?" turning towards everyone else.

Student: "Um, yes. About the shields... Isn't there a legendary shield, called the Egis, or was it Agis?"

Pyrrha: "Well, I do know something about the Aegis, but since Matthew is the teacher, he should have the honor."

(y/n): "Thank you. The Aegis is interpreted as an animal skin or shield. The latter is real and is terrifying to look at since it has the head of the Gorgon Medusa. If you know about Medusa, then you should know that the Aegis only paralyzes those who look at it. It is also Zeus' and Athena's signature defensive equipment. And also, as it would have it, I happen to have the actual shield right here."

Hopefully several parts today. Even more surprises probably.

Anyway, BYEIIII!!!!