How To Make A Spartan Shield -- myArmoury.com

Ben Clements · Posted: Fri 28 Jan, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject: How To Make A Spartan Shield

Hello Everyone,
I was wondering if anyone knows where i can find specification on how to build a authentic spartan shield. It for a humanities class project that encompasses half of my. I want to build it like the Spartans did and i was wondering if anyone had insight or sugestion on where i am to go to find out how.

Thank you for your time ben clements

Luke Zechman · Posted: Fri 28 Jan, 2011 1:08 pm Post subject:

Try this link... http://www.larp.com/hoplite/hoplon.html

N Cioran · Posted: Fri 28 Jan, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Ben,

If you're looking to actually reproduce a aspis as made by the Greeks, you're travelling into a fairly murky ground. What I can say for certain is that plywood rings are not what the Greeks used (sorry Matt Amt).

If you survey all of the extant shields only 2 provide significant insight into the methods used. Beyond that there is a great deal of speculation as to how they were made and covered.

I have a article covering the Vatican Aspis of Etruscan origin in detail, It represents the most reproducible shield as it is made from baulks of timber. PM me and I'll send it to you.

The Olympia excavations have also revealed a great deal of detail on the hardware in the shields. It helps if you have cash and patience, as the book is expensive and slow to come. It does show a different method; thin lathes. How they are joined into the rim is not clear, but its possible it was a solid wood wheel with the lathes bent in over a form.

Christian Cameron also visits this forum, and has had a hand in the building of a dozen or so aspides up our way, and will likely have much more advice and information. He'll also not beat around the bush when it comes to discussing what are myths related to the aspis.

Enjoy!
Cole

Matthew Amt · Posted: Fri 28 Jan, 2011 4:58 pm Post subject:

N Cioran · Posted: Fri 28 Jan, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject:

All that said, I just reviewed Matt's page, and there is a good idea there with a slight modification... glue up 4x6 or 4x8s and turn them on a lathe. You could also do the shaping of the baulks first and then glue them together.

Again, drop me a line and I'll send you the article.

Thanks
Cole

Christian G. Cameron · Posted: Fri 28 Jan, 2011 8:16 pm Post subject:

http://www.hoplologia.org/aspis.html

I've built 14 of these so far, as well as one lath construction boat-hull Boeotian. Far from making me an "expert" it has mostly filled me with questions. So many questions I won't bore you with them on this topic.

It all depends on what you want out of your aspis?

If you want a WMA tool, than the article on Matt's site, or the one I just post ed a link for should do the job. Let me note that my way takes me about 18 hours, start to finish, and the first one took forty.

Want to go to Marathon?

Oh, and let me note that I'm not sure, but I lean to the notion that the Spartan aspis was always covered in bronze. The forming of a bronze aspis cover is no easy task and requires some real anticlastic skills. I'm still looking for a smith who'd like to make me a bronze aspis cover in 22 gauge or even thinner so that I can try laying a "boat hull" into it of lath, which is ONE of the possible totally authentic construction methods. I have one in the basement now--same method but on an oak rim with the lath laid into bull's hide, but I'm not altogether pleased by the way the rim works and how much it weighs...

Sigh. Any bronze smiths on the forum? Want to try your hand at a giant shield cover? 36 inch bowl?

Matthew Amt · Posted: Sat 29 Jan, 2011 6:28 am Post subject:

OH MY. Thanks, Christian! Don't know how I've missed that site before, but I'll definitely a link on my own page. Whenever I get around to doing some updates... Great stuff! Thanks for the mention, too!

Yeah, I've had any number of people asking me about a bronze facing over the years. So when you find a way, lemme know!

Khairete,

Matthew