More about us....
The period we portray is one of transition away from the traditional bell and muscled cuirass towards the lighter armour such as the linen cuirass, known as a linothrax. This means that both muscled cuirass and linothrax could and would have been worn, although the bell type cuirass would almost have disappeared from front line service at this time. Any helmet from about 500bc to 430bc can be worn and some examples can be found below.
We are trying to base our shield on a slightly later version of the Argive shield. We hope to standardise on a diameter of 90cm. We regret that no picture is available at this time (we will rectify this as soon as possible, please bear with us!)
We also hope that everyone will be able to carry a spear of about 9 to 10 feet in length with a small leaf bladed spearhead, and a bronze (brass) butt spike of about 38cm in length. We also intend to post some pictures, again when available.
Sample, but not exclusive, Hoplite equipment list....
Aspis (shield). More commonly known as the Hoplon.
Cuirass (linen linothrax, or bronze/brass muscled cuirass for those with too much spare cash).
Helmet (this is compulsory, mainly to protect your head but also looks good/historically accurate). This will come complete with horsehair (or suitable alternative) crest.
Chiton (a type of tunic; to be worn under armour and fought in, and one to be kept reasonably smart).
Sandals (self explanatory; acceptable styles available on request).
Sword (must be historically accurate).
Spear (optional to begin with, but required later to achive the desired historical accuracy).
Felt or wool pilos type hat to be worn under your helmet (to prevent it wearing a hole in your head).
Periodically accurate hat (again not compulsory, but useful to wear whilst not in armour/fighting). The Thassalian hat is recommended.
Help and advice will always be on hand regarding equipment as it is certainly not easy to know what is periodicall acceptable, historically accurate or downright daft. If in doubt; ask!
Important note: should you be playing the part of a different type of soldier, such as a Thracian Peltast, your equipment will be relative to that type of combat; it would be quite hard to shoot a sling whilst holding a 3ft diameter shield and a 10ft spear at the same time!
