![hoplite shield refrence hoplite shield refrence](https://www.medieval-shop.co.uk/17537-large_default/hoplite-shield.jpg)
In any case, even though the movie is in no way historically accurate, I feel the way the fighting was presented was fairly realistic (Although done in a stylized and over the top way, obviously.). Had it been a similar hoplite force, then it would have looked completely different (Note that I am not revering to part where they break formation to finish the enemy, but the shield to shield fight the first time they clash with the Persians.). The way it is pictured in the movie, they are fighting a much less organized force. Note that in 300, it is not a hoplite VS hoplite fight. now i understand how little the animators of this game knew.
![hoplite shield refrence hoplite shield refrence](https://www.hoplites.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_4675-1-768x1024.jpg)
heavy hoplon would be unwieldy and exhausting the soldier must faster than lighter and more flexible traditional center grip shields.
![hoplite shield refrence hoplite shield refrence](https://www.machinegun-figures.com/products_img/24444/C_1.jpg)
Also the combat is also about the economy of force.
Hoplite shield refrence free#
The free shield would give an advantage over strapped on shield (stabs in the feet, trying to trip the enemy, or even move freely behind own shield left and right while it is fixed and disorienting the enemy. The guy with more options to defend and counter attack, generally wins. Now another point about spear 1v1 combat. aside of their massive weight, the strap was limiting movements. Once their formation was not solid, the shield they held was inferior in 1v1 combat scenarios. Phalanxes were beaten, whenever they could have been flanked by cavalry or had to fight on very rough terrain making their formation hard to hold. they had the advantage of a solid shield wall, while for example Persian shields, were easily poked around to find openings in their lines and then getting stabbed by the spearhead of the guy next to you. Phalanx as a formation, would suffer very few too almost no losses when fighting head on any other formation which would not copy tight spearhead formation. Now, the reason they have strapped shields is that it removes the liability of it being poked off balance by spears or other weapons, thus it is harder to find openings in a solid formation, which the phalanx was aiming for. Bash or swing with the strapped shield would leave you too vulnerable to any counter attack. Look how shields for fighting out of formations are superior when they are held in the center of the shield. In the same way US Marines go into action loaded with bayonets along with rifles: they will prefer their rifles being used first until they must use bayonets. That said, it is likely just an exception to the rule of shields used as protection, rather than some rule that shields MUST be just for protection. Why do all of that when you can simply let the enemy get close for a good poke into the torso?Īlso, the spear is either long enough that would discourage such practice (and conversely encourage the shield being protection-oriented while the spear was thrust to the enemy) or be so short that the enemy is too close, where a shield bash would not be useful since it will still expose your side to attacks given the enemy is even close now that is even worse. Even if said results occur and the man is taken aback, it would be even less ideal for the hoplite to move forward to go for a kill. It would rarely kill a man in the way a simple thrust by your spear held while behind the protection a shield offers that it would be a preferable move. It would be like US marines armed with rifles preferring to use their bayonets: well sue if the enemy is THAT close, but if they are already that close before you have empty your guns into their stomachs then there's a whole lot more than rules of engagement being done wrong.Īdditionally, think what shield bashing actually does: it may stun, it may prevent a strike, and it may cause an opponent to stumble backwards. It may be an option if conditions cal for it (which wouldn't be ideal circumstances, given that the purpose and organization of a phalanx as well as the shield design minimizes such odds) doing so would leave gaps for the bearer and his comrades to be attacked by the opponents. 2K A Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia.
![hoplite shield refrence hoplite shield refrence](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/9f/f8/3e9ff85b424352363f0534f99d89846c.jpg)
846 A Total War Saga: Fall of the Samurai.