Coin of Haliartus depicting a Boeotian shield with trident device (left)
A Boeotian shield is a large hand-held shield once carried by warriors in Ancient Greece. It is similar to the more commonly encountered aspis in that it has an overall circular shape, but differed in having scooped indentations at both sides. The term "Boeotian" as applied to this armament is a modern construct resulting from its frequent appearance on ancient Boeotian coins. No shield of this type has physically survived into the modern era, but this type, along with the Boeotian helmet, are considered characteristic of the warriors of Boeotia.[by whom?]
A Greek phalanx was a military unit whose performance was based in part on the relative uniformity of arms and armor of its principal members, the hoplites. This need for uniformity apparently extended to the shape of the groups' shields.[1] The Boeotian shield was narrower and more oval than the circular aspis, and on each of its vertical edges was a scooped indentation not unlike the C-bouts found on the waist of a modern violin and probably used for similar purpose: just as the violin's C-bouts allow the player to run the bow close to the center of the instrument, the Boeotian shield's indentations allowed its bearer to thrust and stab with his weapon(s) from a position closer to the shield's center rather than having to reach around or over the shield to strike. They also reduced the shield's overall weight somewhat, and as the shield was often the heaviest piece of equipment carried by a warrior, any reduction in its weight would have been welcome. It is also possible that the Boeotian shield was constructed out of animal hides stretched over a wicker frame rather than being made of solid wood and bronze like the aspis— this would account for none from the ancient world having survived.[1] Like the helmets worn by the Boeotians, this less-expensive method of construction would have been preferred by the hoplites of this region, who were often less well off than their counterparts in other regions of greater Greece.[2]
^ abLouis Rawlings (2007). The Ancient Greeks at War. Manchester University Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-7190-5657-4.
^Nicholas Ryan Rockwell (2008). The Boeotian Army: The Convergence of Warfare, Politics, Society, and Culture in the Classical Age of Greece. ProQuest. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-109-02125-7.[permanent dead link]
A Boeotianshield is a large hand-held shield once carried by warriors in Ancient Greece. It is similar to the more commonly encountered aspis in that...
his death) Pelopidas Pindar Plutarch Scamander of Boeotia Boeotian helmet Boeotianshield List of settlements in Boeotia Graïke "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής...
The Boeotian helmet was a type of combat helmet used in Ancient Greece during the classical and Hellenistic periods, as well as in Ancient Rome; it possibly...
few Boeotian cities to stay loyal to Greece after the battle. Although Thespian hoplites are popularly depicted with dark cloaks and crescent shields, no...
a Boeotian hero (Heracles), whose mortal father Amphitryon had for allies Locrians and Phocians. This was a pastiche made to be sung at a Boeotian festival...
Melos depicted a "mēlon" (μήλον - apple). Coins of Thebes depicted a Boeotianshield. Collections of ancient Greek coins are held by museums around the...
Ancient Greek: [lêu̯k.tra]) was fought on 6 July 371 BC between the Boeotians led by the Thebans, and the Spartans along with their allies amidst the...
Philip's day, but his son Alexander is said to have preferred the open-faced Boeotian helmet for his cavalry, as recommended by Xenophon. The royal burial in...
during the Peloponnesian War. It was fought between the Athenians and the Boeotians, who were allies of the Spartans, and ended with the siege of Delium in...
either side are dressed with Corinthian helmets and armour, holding Boeotianshields. The shoulder relief is reflecting the mythological battle between...
an ornate 'grill' face visor. Usually based on the broad-rimmed Greek Boeotian helmet. Ocrea: Shin guard/protector made of bronze, iron or other metals...
autonomous pro-Spartan Boeotian poleis. Thespiae and Tanagra were subjugated and formally became part of the reestablished democratic Boeotian confederacy. In...
for decorative purposes and as an additional level of protection. The Boeotian helmet was commonly used by cavalry troops due to their need for unimpeded...
his Athenians drove them out again. In the rivalry which followed, the Boeotians gathered all their army in line of battle and directed a formidable blow...
Achaea-Phthiotis, that paved the way for the entry of the body of the rest Boeotian tribes which were living around Thessaly (perioikoi).[citation needed]...
local Boeotian, belonging to the same dialect group. However, while his poetry features some Aeolisms there are no words that are certainly Boeotian. His...
forms the Second Athenian League. The confederacy includes most of the Boeotian cities and some of the Ionian islands. Dionysius I's third war with Carthage...
bronze muscle cuirass or linothorax, shoulder guards and Boeotian helmets, but bore no shield. A kopis (curved slashing sword) or xiphos (cut and thrust...
Boeotians that they take the left, while the Boeotians took the right. This meant that the Athenians were opposite the Spartans, while the Boeotians and...
subsequently executed. The Thebans are able to reconstitute their old Boeotian confederacy in a new, democratic form. The cities of Boeotia unite as a...
equipped with short swords, spears, and Dipylon-type shields ("8"-shaped simple round bronze shields). This period was the Golden Age of Warfare. In a battle...
north to avoid mountain passes where the Boeotians were prepared to ambush him, Cleombrotus entered Boeotian territory from an unexpected direction and...
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