Greek Battle on Mount Tamaulipas

This is also a riddle. Where do the warriors com from

October 27, 2013

The Greek Hoplite and Phalanx

The shield wall developed in the West from Viking beginnings had counter parts in earlier times, that of the Roman Legion and the Greek Phalanx.   Depicted above are two Greeks at the Battle of Mount Tamaulipas.  The Greek Phalanx was superseded by the Macedonian Phalanx featuring a long pike and losing the Hoplon (round shield above).   The highly flexible Roman Legion were equipped with a spear that could be thrown or held, and square shield curved outward plus helmet and body armor.

The Greek Hoplite carried a heavy convex round shield called the Hoplon, a spear, a Corinthian helmet , greaves for the shin and bracers for the forearms.   And that was all they wore in the earlier days, later they added a breast plate and protection for the shoulders and thighs.  The images in this issue of Templar Militaris a loin cloth was added for the demure.

In these images of one particular moment in time where both warriors are a half step from effective stabbing distance.   Each has the same equipment and the poses are the same except for where the spears are aimed, eyes ball and the other balls.   The grip on the shield is extended down and toward the threat with the arms held straight which we might call the Straight Greek Grip.   This grip also allows the warrior to adapt a Clench or Strong Grip found in the Shield Wall of the Time of the Temple.

 

Note the red square which shows the straight Greek grip on the shield

 

Camera placed directly under duel and shows the straight arm grip by both warriors

 

Image labeled as Iliad shows both warriors with Greek straight arm grip 

 

There is a long and tough relationship between the two communities

                      

The crouch kills any chance of movement forward or back, and the couched spear has no power from the seated position

In this case the Persian has both hands on one side of his eyeline (nose) which weakens both arms and balance.  :Leonidas is carrying his spear too low for full torque and his shield would do better in the straight or clenched grip. If so the Persian would go alpha over teakettle on collision.

From a wooden frieze showing the warrior on the left using his leverage to push the other's shield to cross the other's hands on the same side of the eyeline

The historical record of original drawings and art of the time shows the “Greek” grip even into Roman Times

To follow:  The Medieval Hand at War

Bear Fight by Gordon S Fowkes.