hoplon

Hoplon is the term used in ancient Greek warfare to designate the distinctive shield carried by hoplites. The word (Greek ὅπλον) originally meant tool or weapon, and in classical usage it refers specifically to the shield that formed the core of the hoplite’s equipment.

Design and construction of the hoplon varied, but it was generally a large circular shield, roughly up to about a meter in diameter. It was made from light but sturdy wood, often with a facing of bronze or leather on the exterior, and a solid interior grip. A central handgrip and sometimes a forearm strap or thong helped the wearer stabilize the shield during movement and combat. The shield’s weight and size were chosen to provide significant protection while allowing the hoplite to maintain a tight, overlapping formation with comrades in the phalanx.

Function and military role: the hoplon was essential for the phalanx tactic, in which a line of hoplites marched shoulder to shoulder, each man’s shield overlapping the neighbor’s. The shield protected the left side of the bearer and, when properly interlocked, created a shared defensive wall. In fighting, the right hand typically remained free to wield a spear or sword, while the left protected the front and left flank and aided the team defense.

Historical notes: the hoplon was standard in classical Greek warfare from the early Archaic period through much of the classical era, and it remained symbolic even as tactics and equipment evolved. Over time some states used lighter shields or modified forms, but the hoplon remained a dominant symbol of Greek infantry throughout much of antiquity.