Greek Armor and Greek War

The solid bronze, Corinthian style helmet that the average hoplite wore weighed approximately five pounds and covered the head and parts of the face and neck. Because it was not insulated, many men grew beards or long hair, as the Spartans did, in order to provide shock absorbent padding. The solid metal headpieces also provided no ventilation, often times leading to dehydration. The difficulty of wearing the hoplite helmet also gives evidence to the man to dependence found among the phalanx ranks. The burdensome covering allowed for little range of vision and muffled much of the sounds around a man, including any orders from a commander. The isolation in wearing the helmet led to a battle experience largely based on the perception of pressure each man felt from those around him. The hoplite found body protection in his breastplate, a solid bronze, bell-shaped corset weighing thirty to forty pounds.

As with the helmet, ventilation was nonexistent, leading to immediate discomfort and a drenching of sweat. Greaves, thin bronze sheets, were employed to protect the lower legs. The weapon of choice in the head on battles of antiquity was a six to eight foot long spear. The wooden shaft was made of ash or cornel wood, the head of iron, and the butt pike of bronze. Upon the collision with the enemy, the spear would often times break, thus the necessity of having a butt end available. However, this arrangement also endangered those hoplites in the rear ranks, for misdirection or accidental backward thrusts of the spear often led to the injury or death of one's fellow soldier. In the case that the spear was lost or too damaged to use, a short sword was used during hand to hand combat.

This note just scratches the surface of history about the world of Greek Warfare. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, interesting history articles and museum replica collectibles, visit The Historical Weapons Store or www. HistoricReplicas.com