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 ...

He addresses questions such as why was the hoplon, the characteristic shield of the hoplite, circular rather than square, what was “drill” like, how did one manage to wear the full hoplite panoply, ...

In battle, hoplites ... than other Greek women. For example, they could run the family farm. Spartan mothers told their sons before they left for battle, "Come back with your shield, or on it." ...

Inward-looking and self-sufficient, the Spartans were the most feared hoplites (infantrymen ... to return without a shield and not without a helmet, the Spartan king, Demaratos (510 - 491 ...