The Art of Combat: Hoplites and their hoopla
Kevin De Groote
Supervisor:
Dr Alan Peatfield and Dr. Philip de Souza (School of Classics)
Funded by:
Part funded by Dublin City Council (Higher Education Grant)
Abstract
This project explores Greek hoplite warfare from its inception during the Archaic through to its dominance in the Classical period (c. 700-350 BC) through an innovative, pragmatic approach which focuses on the weaponry and fighting techniques that were adopted by users of the hoplite panoply. Both the development and function of the hoplite phalanx are not yet fully understood and this is in part because the artistic and literary evidence appear contradictory to one another. Furthermore, modern scholarship has concentrated on strategic and tactical aspects of hoplite warfare, to the neglect of the practical issues with fundamental questions relating to the nature of hoplite warfare still unresolved.
This project aims to fill a gap through a detailed analysis of hoplite weaponry and establishing their modes of use in a combat environment. A thorough examination of the surviving material culture, artistic- and literary evidence will be combined with simulated experiments derived from selected key artistic representations. The aspis (shield), the dory (spear) and the xiphos (straight sword) are the main focus of this study, although due consideration will also be given to the development and use of body armour. The geographical focus for the project is mainland Greece, although where necessary and suitable material from Magna Graecia will be introduced.