From the time of the Minoan civilization (c. 3500–c. 1100 BC) through the 4th century BC, the aspis shield was a prevalent weapon among ancient Greek heavy infantry. The term “aspis” is actually a generic term for the ancient Greek word “shield” (ἄσπις). In ancient Greece, the aspis was a huge, circular shield. It was constructed of wood and covered with leather. Hoplites, highly armed infantry warriors, were the most common bearers of the aspis in combat. This cold weapon provided great protection, like a “city wall.” According to Hesiod, Heracles wielded an aspis shield.
Origin of the Aspis Shield
The Greek hoplites and cavalry frequently used the aspis (also known as the hoplon) between the 8th and 4th centuries BC. In fact, the word hoplite derives from “hoplon.” As new offensive weapons with higher penetrating strength, manufacturing processes, and different forms of fighting formations were adopted, the material, shape, and means of gripping the aspis shield evolved as well.
Design
The aspis was a round shield with a big bowl and a substantially reinforced, virtually flat rim. The shield measured between 35 and 43 inches (90–110 cm) in diameter. Glued together, the shield was made of thin pieces of wood. Fine leather coated the inside of the aspis, which also had a riveted brass clasp and a leather strap at the edge. A sheet of bronze could be used to cover the shield’s outside, or it could be painted and adorned. An aspis shield was between 13 and 18 lb (6–8 kg) in weight.
Construction
The Homeric aspis shields were likely constructed from many layers of leather that were laminated with glue and then stitched to a wicker weave. The figure-of-eight shield paintings at Knossos archaeological site show this stitching vividly.
This shield had a large protrusion and was likely fashioned from bronze and rawhide. The shield’s edges were so rounded inward that the warrior could have stood inside of them. For defense, Homer mentions about two “bars” on his aspis shield, which are most likely for tensioning. The shield wouldn’t have kept its form without these bars placed inside.
History of the Aspis Shield
Aspis Shield in Minoan Civilization (3500–1100 BC)
Figure-of-Eight Shield
The aspis shields were often fashioned from ephemeral components, including a wooden frame domed with two stacked lobes to create a hazy figure-8 shape and cow skins that were sewn onto the frame. When leather was stretched and cured, it became harder for arrows and even spears to pierce it.
The telamon, a Greek leather strap, held this shield in place on the warrior’s back, freeing his/her hands. The aspis shield was brought forward during the battle and then placed on the back again in case of a retreat.
“So saying, Hector of the flashing helm departed, and the black hide at either end smote against his ankles and his neck, even the rim that ran about the outermost edge of his bossed shield.”
Homer, Iliad, Book 6, line 116 – Tufts.edu
Homer paints a vivid picture of Hector’s massive shield. There are many other references to this large shield. According to the Iliad, Agamemnon’s aspis was so big that it could protect a man on both sides.
“Ajax came up bearing his shield in front of him like a wall – a shield of bronze with seven folds of oxhide – the work of Tychios, who lived in Hyle and was by far the best worker in leather.”
Perseus Under Philologic: Hom. Il. 7.245 – Uchicago.edu
Some accounts depict this Homeric shield—inspired by the aspis—as a round shield, and they are quite uncommon in Mycenaean artwork. However, these shields were employed by the Sea Peoples of the 12th century BC and by the Greeks of Homer’s time. But they were not that large. Homer very certainly had curved shields like the figure-of-eight shield in his mind.
Aspis Shield in Mycenaean Civilization (1750–1050 BC)
Tower-Shaped Aspis
After 1400 BC, a new style of shield manufactured from the same materials replaced the figure-of-eight-shaped aspis shield. About the height of a man, this tower-shaped aspis was a massive weapon with a rectangular shape, a rounded top, and a vertical bulge. Just like the figure-of-eight, an oxhide (up to seven layers) was sewn onto a timber frame, and sometimes a bronze plate was added, to create this tower-shaped shield.
Around 1200 BC
At this period, a smaller aspis shield than the “figure-of-eight” or “tower” types arose. They were rounded on top and trimmed on the bottom.
Aspis Shield in the 9th–8th Centuries BC
A New Shield
Certain regions of Greece that avoided the Late Bronze Age societal collapse of the 12th century BC used the Mycenaean figure-of-eight shield up until the 8th century BC.
Around 1050 BC, the Dorians began settling in southern Greece, perhaps bringing with them a circular shield with a central handle. The 8th century BC saw various changes to this shield, including the addition of a bracelet and the relocation of the handle.
This shield is what allowed the formation of the phalanx. Half of the shield protruded from the left side of the warrior. Thus, this protruding portion of the shield would protect the vulnerable side of each man on the left of the rank. A leather curtain would hang below certain later shields to deflect arrows and protect the warrior’s legs.
Boeotian Shield
During that time, the Boeotian shield was the standard design of an aspis shield. It was big, circular at the top and bottom, and had two cutouts across the middle. It was made of leather-covered wood and hung from the back. Its convex shape, frequent adornment with decorative elements like the Poseidon trident, and use by Boeotian warriors were all characteristics of it.
Aspis Shield in the 7th–4th Centuries BC
Hoplon Shield
The word hoplon comes from hoplo or όπλο which meant “tool” or “instrument,” and it came to imply “tool of war” or “weapon” in later use. The Greek heavy soldiers known as hoplites used a type of shield known as a hoplon, and it was from this shield that the hoplites derived their name. The hoplon and the aspis shields have been used interchangeably throughout history.
However, since ancient Greeks probably did use hoplo or hoplon as a general term for all weapons, many historians believe that modern literature has incorrectly used it to refer to this type of shield. They argue that the hoplite and phalanx only came into existence because of this shield, which was their primary weapon and had a more specific name.
The hoplites came into existence during the 7th century BC. The oldest hoplon shields are also from this period. It was a circular shield with a diameter of 35 to 39 inches (90–100 cm), a domed top, and an innovative grip design.
The utilization of the entire forearm with this aspis shield ensured stability, resulting in a secure and comfortable grip during combat. In a hoplon, a bronze plate was affixed to a wooden frame, and the plate had an insignia representing the soldier and the city he was fighting for.
A wide variety of symbols, including animals (snake, bird, lion, etc.), mythical characters (gorgon, centaur, pegasus, etc.), and letters (inverted “V” for the capital “λ” (lambda) of Lacedaemon (Sparta), etc.), are seen in many findings regarding the hoplon aspis shields.
These paintings also had a spiritual purpose, such as bringing misfortune to the enemy. The forearm could slide into an armband (porpax) that was attached to the middle of the leather-covered shield’s inner face. The leather or rope grip was fastened to the edge of the shield.
A chain threaded through two riveted eyelets on the inner edge of the shield allowed it to be hung when needed. The bottom portion was often fitted with an additional piece of striped leather, similarly ornamented, with the purpose of providing more protection to the bottom half of the body, like the thighs.
As a shield for the hoplite heavy infantry, the hoplon, or aspis, weighed in at roughly 18 pounds (8 kg). When carried with the left arm folded in front of the body, the aspis offered protection from the chin to the top of the legs during a phalanx attack. Its innovative grip mechanism enabled a push to be administered during the engagement in an effort to break through enemy lines, and it provided excellent mobility in the ongoing conflict.
Variants of the hoplon aspis
A model of the aspis hoplon with trimmed side edges appears in a number of depictions (paintings on vases, figurines) from the 7th–4th centuries BC, but no surviving example of the weapon has been located, possibly because it was crafted using perishable materials.
This theory is unsupported by the amphora that the Prometheus Painter depicted in the middle of the sixth century BC. In order to keep the lines of the warriors compact, these openings were made to let the spear pass through. All this was to keep the ranks of the fighters tightly packed.
It’s possible that this style of combat during a phalanx battle represented an evolution, prefiguring the sort of formation used by the Macedonians, as opposed to the style seen on the Chigi vase, which dates to circa 650 BC and shows the hoplites with their spears aloft.
Pelta Shield: 4th–5th Centuries BC
The Thracian peltast, a light infantry combatant, carried a lightweight shield called a pelta. The frame was typically wicker, and it was covered with goat or lamb skin to create a crescent form (concave side facing up). A symbol, usually a geometric design but sometimes something more symbolic (a serpent, an eye, a crescent, etc.), is emblazoned on its outer face, much like the hoplon.
The Shields of Olympia
After the battle, it was customary for the victorious general to dedicate a shield with an inscription to one of the shrines. Many of these shields have been found at Olympia. Some have the entire front lined with bronze, others only the rim.
All non-metallic parts of these shields have disappeared, although many of the interior fittings have been discovered. These were fixed in the center of the shield with rivets, which were then adjusted at the front. The shield was made of wood with a trim of bronze or oxhide.
Several of the shields of Olympia have the fittings attached directly to the reverse of the bronze fitting. Such shields were made especially for offerings, as they would have been useless in battle.
It has been suggested that they were used to deflect blows, but such a theory is at odds with the essential purpose of the phalanx. Each hoplite was supposed to protect the defenseless side of the ally from him, not deflect the projectiles thrown at him.
Aspis Shield at a Glance
What is the origin of the Aspis Shield?
The Aspis Shield originated during the time of the Minoan civilization (c. 3500–c. 1100 BC) and remained prevalent among ancient Greek heavy infantry until the 4th century BC.
How was the Aspis Shield constructed?
The Aspis Shield was made of wood and covered with leather. It had a large, circular shape with a reinforced rim. The shield could be further protected with a sheet of bronze or adorned with paintings. It weighed between 13 and 18 lb (6–8 kg).
How did the design of the Aspis Shield evolve over time?
The design of the Aspis shield evolved to adapt to new offensive weapons and fighting formations. It started as a figure-of-eight shield in the Minoan civilization, then transitioned to a tower-shaped shield in the Mycenaean civilization. In later periods, it became a circular shield with a central handle, which allowed the formation of the phalanx.
What role did the Aspis Shield play in ancient Greek warfare?
This shield was primarily used by hoplites, heavily armed infantry warriors. It provided excellent protection, functioning like a “city wall.” The shield allowed for the formation of the phalanx, with each hoplite’s shield overlapping to protect the vulnerable side of the warrior next to them.
Were there variations of the Aspis Shield?
Yes, there were variations of this shield. The Boeotian shield was a common design characterized by a circular shape with cutouts across the middle. The Hoplon shield, often used interchangeably with the aspis, was the primary shield of the hoplites and had a specific grip mechanism. Another variant was the Pelta shield, carried by Thracian peltasts, which had a lightweight, crescent shape.
References
- The Shield of Heracles, Aspis by Hesiod (750–650 BC), 2009.
- The Greek Hoplite Phalanx: The Iconic Heavy Infantry of the Classical Greek World by Richard Taylor, 2021.
- Shield of hoplon (aspis) type – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (mfa.org)
- The Hoplite Aspis (Double-Grip Shield), Spear, and Ancient Greek Combat A Black Belt’s Perspective | Leah Himmelhoch – Academia.edu