Spartan warrior pictures c.546-346 BC

[greycat]

SPARTAN WARRIOR, c.546 BC
This Spartan warrior from the time of the ‘Battle of the Champions’ is shown wearing the equipment depicted on an archaic Lakonian figurine from Kosmas, in the vicinity of Thyrea (now in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens). Similar archaic figurines, along with the evidence of several vase paintings, confirm that warriors went into battle naked, except for the helmet, ‘bell’ cuirass (1) and greaves (2). They are often depicted with high crests on their helmets.The two styles of helmet shown here are the open-faced ‘Illyrian’ (3) and an early variety of ‘Corinthian’ (4), which introduced the nose guard and covered more of the wearer’s face. Both styles could be fitted with crests, either made from horsehair (5) or fashioned from bronze (6). The Spartan warrior was a spearman, first and foremost, and is shown with the large hoplite shield (aspis) and spear (dory). The spearheads and butt-spikes are based on examples in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens. The shield emblem is the Gorgoneion (or Medusa mask) (7), a motif that was popular at Sparta, where it recurs on bronzework and on bone and ivory carvings.

THE SPARTAN SHIELD
The fortuitous survival of the so-called ‘Bomarzo shield’, now in the Museo Gregoriano Etrusco (Vatican), allows us to see how a hoplite shield (aspis) might have been assembled. The core of the shield was a shallow wooden bowl with a flat, projecting rim, constructed from several planks of poplar wood, arranged so that the grain ran horizontally when the shield was in use (1). The thickness seems to have varied between 10 and 11mm in the centre and 12 and 18mm at the edge. A thin layer of leather was glued to the interior, while on the exterior, and perhaps stuck to it with a layer of pitch, was a bronze facing, 0.5mm thick. Around the rim, the bronze was often decorated with a repoussé pattern, such as the guilloche shown here (2). The classic Spartan shield of the late 5th century BC was probably blank and polished to a high sheen. However, vase paintings depict various shield emblems, including the snake shown here (3), and the pattern of radiating black and white crescents on a red background is thought to have had particular significance at Sparta (4). Some of the motifs carved on ivory votive disks from the Temple of Artemis Orthia are also found as shield emblems, such as the scorpion shown here (5). Equally, ithas been suggested that bronze ‘Medusa’ plaques were intended to be attached to shields (6). Inside the shield was the central armband (porpax) and, to either side, a pair of staples for attaching a braided cord handgrip (antilabe) (7). Vase paintings show how four additional anchor points allowed spare cord to be threaded around the perimeter, perhaps to assist in carrying the shield over the shoulder.

SPARTAN WARRIOR, c.346 BC
By the time of the Third Sacred War, Sparta had passed her heyday; her army was overwhelmingly Lakedaimonian, rather than Spartiate. Consequently, the Spartan Warrior played a far smaller role on the battlefield. Nor is it clear, in the absence of archaeological finds and literary descriptions, what type of armour he wore. During the period of the Peloponnesian War, there seems to have been a deliberate lightening of equipment. The claustrophobic ‘Corinthian’ helmet was replaced by the pilos (1), which left the face, ears and neck exposed. Although this was a far simpler helmet, several examples are known to have been decorated with repoussé or appliqué work, and a bronze statuette (now in Sparta Museum) shows how a crest could be applied. At the same time, the bronze cuirass and greaves, which had been worn during the time of the Persian Wars, were given up entirely. The Spartiates on Sphakteria, for example, relied only on the protection of their shields (2). Much the same state of affairs probably continued into the 4th century BC, as long as the dwindling population of Spartiates clung to their heroic traditions. By contrast, the hoplites of other city-states had given up the bronze cuirass in favour of the lightweight fabric corslet, still designated as a thorax (3); this incorporated a tubular body section (as opposed to the front- and back-plates of the cuirass) and a collar or ‘yoke’ section, to which the body ‘tube’ was attached (hence, the common neologism, ‘tube-and-yoke corslet’). Although the fabric seems often to have been quilted or even reinforced with metal scales, it did not offer complete protection. At the Second battle of Mantineia, when Epameinondas, the victor of Leuktra, ‘took a blow to the thorax, he fell on the spot, for the spear had broken leaving the iron point in his body’ (Diod. 15.87.1). Hoplites wishing more protection than the pilos could offer, but unwilling to suffer the discomfort of the ‘Corinthian’ helmet, often elected to wear the more open-faced helmet known to scholars as the ‘Chalcidian’. Variations included the removal of the nose guard and the attachment of hinged cheek-pieces, often shown folded up on vase paintings (4). The same paintings show that greaves might still be worn, at the individual’s discretion. But, as before, the warrior’s main protection came from the large hoplite shield (aspis), here shown depicting the cockerel, a belligerent bird that was sacred to Herakles and, no doubt for that reason, a popular Spartan motif (5). It is possible that the perioikoi who increasingly filled out the ranks of the Lakedaimonian army wore equipment like this.

source: http://www.ospreypub...C_9781849087001

Edited December 10, 2013 by greycat

[Rodmar]

Two remarks :

1. The nude Spartan (citizen): I don't know how a warrior (even such a brave and trained one as the homoios) could realistically form the phalanx and go to a fearful spear melee with only shield and helmet. Also, the Spartan hoplites on Sphacteria are reported as heavy infantry not being able to outrun the enemy peltast on rough ground despite their training : was it only due to their shield ?
2. The thorax could have not been such an inefficient protection, but rather quite a technological innovation specially designed as a trade-off between mobility and protection against arrows and slash, and raw protection against powerful spear thrust, granted to a multilayered and lamellar structure not unlike the medieval platemail, that is : multilayered and padded vegetal fibers, reinforced with one or two layers of small metallic (or beewax hardened leather) plates sandwiched inside the fabric. The armor was lighter, more supple and more versatile, yet maybe not able to deflect powerful thrusting blows. Also, the problem with such sophisticated armor as platemails, chainmails, etc., is that repeated blows end in separating or "un-mailing" the small protective parts (plates, rings, scales), and the warrior ends up with virtually little more, in such battered spots, than a weared padded cloth armor.

[greycat]

1. The nude Spartan (citizen): I don't know how a warrior (even such a brave and trained one as the homoios) could realistically form the phalanx and go to a fearful spear melee with only shield and helmet. Also, the Spartan hoplites on Sphacteria are reported as heavy infantry not being able to outrun the enemy peltast on rough ground despite their training : was it only due to their shield ?

They also had a ‘bell’ cuirass. (I added picture with numbers)

Edited December 5, 2013 by greycat

[Rodmar]

Where is this picture of a c 346 B.C. hoplite with a pilos helmet and a bell cuirass?

All right ! I wasn't clear. The "nude" hoplite was that 346 B.C. one in red dress, not the funny "nude and brass" one in 546 B.C.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Rodmar

[greycat]

All right ! I wasn't clear. The "nude" hoplite was that 346 B.C. one in red dress, not the funny "nude and brass" one in 546 B.C.

nude or in dress heroic...no?

[Rodmar]

I still feel like we (they) should cross as many archaeological and textual sources as possible before taking for certain they fought in tunic and shield. Granted, even with greaves missing, the shield wall would be still there, but after first contact, even supermen would have been left so vulnerable to spear thrusts aimed at the high and low wall defects (hoplons not overlapping on their full height).

Furthermore, in the late classical period, Hellenes had developed light ranged infantry and swordsmen, as it seems.

Or maybe, maybe, one old-fashion-minded elite/parade battalion showing along with a majority of armored Lacedemonians.

[greycat]

They are from Osprey military history books. They use archeological sources.

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/store/Spartan-Warrior-735%E2%80%93331-BC_9781849087001

[greycat]

This is what author says about greaves.

Greaves
The evidence for Spartan greaves (knemides) is as equivocal as the evidence for corslets; both items appear on the archaic bronze figurines, but there is little evidence thereafter. However, where the hoplite shield might mitigate the absence of body armour, it seldom covered a man’s lower legs, where greaves would provide the only protection. If the Spartan elected to wear greaves, each bronze knemis must have been modelled, albeit roughly, to fit his leg, because it wrapped around the shin leaving only a narrow gap at the back, along the wearer’s calf. The springiness of the bronze kept the greaves in place and, as with the helmet, padding provided comfort while cushioning any blows. We can assume that such padding was normally made of fabric, but Aristotle claims that marine sponges could be used, and particularly the species nicknamed ‘the sponge of Achilles’: ‘this one they place under the helmet and greaves, to deaden the sound of the blow’ (Arist., Hist. An. 5.14 = 548B). Of course, in deadening the sound, it also absorbed the impact, which was surely its primary purpose.

source: http://www.ospreypub...C_9781849087001

Edited December 10, 2013 by greycat

[greycat]

Shield emblems (episema)
It is well known that hoplite shields often carried painted designs or bronze appliqué blazons; one example is the Gorgoneion (or Medusa mask) in Aristophanes’ Acharnians (quoted above). The philo-Spartan Alkibiades allegedly depicted Eros with a thunderbolt on his shield, which was thought to be far too frivolous (Plut., Alk. 16.2), whereas the Thebans depicted Herakles’ club on theirs (Xen., Hell. 7.5.20). Plutarch even records the case of a Spartan who painted a life-sized fly on his shield, explaining that ‘I move in so close to the enemy that the emblem is seen by them as big as it really is’(Plut., Ap. Lak., Anon. 41 = Mor. 234C–D). At one point, Xenophon describes how an Argive force identified its enemy as Sikyonians, ‘seeing the sigma on their shields’ (Xen., Hell. 4.4.10); clearly, on this occasion, the men of Sikyon had painted Σ on their shields, being the initial letter of their town. Similarly, modern writers often state as a fact that Spartan shields carried the , indicating ‘Lakedaimon’. However,the evidence is problematic.

source: http://www.ospreypub...C_9781849087001

Edited December 10, 2013 by greycat

[greycat]

They did wear cloaks but not into battle.

A bronze statuette of a Spartan officer from the early 5th century BCE. He is wrapped in his cloak, or tribon.

Edited December 10, 2013 by greycat

[greycat]

The final day at Thermopylae as illustrated by Peter Connolly

Peter Connolly (8 May 1935 – 2 May 2012) was a renowned British scholar of the ancient world, Greek and Roman military equipment historian, reconstructional archaeologist and illustrator.

Edited December 10, 2013 by greycat

[greycat]

The cuirass

At the beginning of our period, many Spartan warriors will have worn the bronze ‘bell cuirass’ (thorax), in which a front plate and a back plate, both covering from neck to waist, were fastened together. This is the style worn by archaic Spartan bronze figurines, such as the well-known example from Dodona. The design resembles a bell by gently flaring inwards at the waist before jutting out in a flange, which was no doubt intended to catch or deflect any downward spear thrusts. It is possible that the Spartan warrior, following the example set by the hoplites of other city-states, graduated, along with them, from the cumbersome bronze bell cuirass to the more comfortable fabric corslet. Xenophon describes this thorax lineos (‘linen corslet’), which covered a man down to his abdomen and incorporated a skirt of fabric strips called pteryges (Xen., Anab. 4.7.15). This design of corslet, with its telltale shoulder flaps, is frequently depicted on vase paintings, but is nowhere explicitly linked with Spartans.

source: http://www.ospreypublishing.com/store/Spartan-Warrior-735%E2%80%93331-BC_9781849087001

Edited December 10, 2013 by greycat

[greycat]

I still feel like we (they) should cross as many archaeological and textual sources as possible before taking for certain they fought in tunic and shield. Granted, even with greaves missing, the shield wall would be still there, but after first contact, even supermen would have been left so vulnerable to spear thrusts aimed at the high and low wall defects (hoplons not overlapping on their full height).

I think it may be referring to only the "The Spartiates on Sphakteria" (2) SPARTAN WARRIOR, c.346 BC

Edited December 12, 2013 by greycat

[aldehid]

I think the economical point of view is still missing in this discussion. Consider this: Even in the second half of 19th century during the American Civil War it was somtimes very hard to equip an army with a uniform or adequate weapon. This was happing in industrialized world, when most of the hard metal-working manual labour was replaced by heavy machinery powerd by giant steam engines. Steel was produced in milions of tons per year. (According to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_steel_industry_(1850–1970) ). Textile-industry was even more progressive (According to Wealth and Poverty of Nations - David Landes). And still, there was lack of some esential eqiupment. It's estimated that around 100 AD the anual production of iron was 84 000 t. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ferrous_metallurgy#cite_note-30). That's just 0.84 kg of metal for each inhabitant of Roman Empire. Since less then a half of this production was used in military, that's just about 0,4 kg. Just enough to make a spear - and nothing else. Now, the price of such spear would be astronomical whan adding the work of a blacksmith who used just his own hands. I admitt the calculation is very simplified but we should consider the lack of resources in that point in history.

Edited December 12, 2013 by aldehid

[greycat]

That is a good point. armor was often handed down through families. Having more sons was something that was encouraged, so not everybody would be able to get equipment in this way. I would think that after winning a battle they would take what they wanted though.

[aldehid]

I think that armor amog with other valuable things were part of the loot wich was shared with nobels who got the bigger part of it, but it's much likely that stealing from dead occured. But I mentioned the economical issues also to support the argument that those man went to battle almost naked. And they were motivated; they had nothing to lose and much to gain. BTW: This might seem off-topic but do you wonder adding some concept of looting in the game?

Edited December 12, 2013 by aldehid

[greycat]

so to support the argument that those man went to battle almost naked. And they were motivated; they had nothing to lose and much to gain. BTW: This might seem off-topic but do you wonder adding some concept of looting in the game?

Yes, that is even how we use the word today...

2

a often not capitalized : marked by strict self-discipline or self-denial <a Spartan athlete>

b often not capitalized : marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort

Looting sounds like an interesting idea. Not sure how to work into game though...

[feneur]

Looting is already in the game Every time your units kill enemy units you get a small percentage of loot automatically. We do need to find a way to make it more obvious though

[greycat]

Looting is already in the game Every time your units kill enemy units you get a small percentage of loot automatically. We do need to find a way to make it more obvious though

lol...thanks.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Looting is already in the game Every time your units kill enemy units you get a small percentage of loot automatically. We do need to find a way to make it more obvious though

and message or animation can be best.

[greycat]

I still feel like we (they) should cross as many archaeological and textual sources as possible before taking for certain they fought in tunic and shield. Granted, even with greaves missing, the shield wall would be still there, but after first contact, even supermen

Or maybe, maybe, one old-fashion-minded elite/parade battalion showing along with a majority of armored Lacedemonians.

SPARTAN WARRIOR, c.346 BC (2) is depicting a Spartiate who was a male of Sparta known to the Spartans as "peers" or "men of equal status"

The army was mostly Lakedaimonian rather than Spartiate around this time from a region of southern Greece in the southeast Peloponnesus.

The Perioikoi, were the members of an autonomous group of free but non-citizen inhabitants of Sparta and may have worn a thorax (3) according to this source at least: http://www.ospreypublishing.com/store/Spartan-Warrior-735%E2%80%93331-BC_9781849087001

Peter Connolly depicts them as a mixture thorax and ‘bell’ cuirass at Battle of Thermopylae 480 BC http://www.wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17906#entry279831

Edited December 12, 2013 by greycat