Known as a hoplon—from which is derived the name of its bearer, the hoplite—the shield was, together with the spear, the most important weapon of the Spartan warrior. Each shield was circular ...

While this line is almost certainly apocryphal, losing one’s shield was nevertheless a signal dishonor. One might expect a Spartan warrior who had both lost his shield and fainted in battle to ...

"Come back with your shield - or on it" (Plutarch ... Herodotus reports that just before the Battle of Thermoplyae, a Spartan warrior named Dienekes was told that the Persian archers could ...

"This piece is a rare and exceptionally well-preserved bronze helmet from ancient Greece, likely associated with a Spartan ...

Famous quotes and anecdotes associated with the Spartans: Herodotus reports that just before the Battle of Thermoplyae, a Spartan warrior named ... "Come back with your shield - or on it ...