Did you know a hoplite's shield is not called a hoplon; it's called an aspis?

Question

And no, hoplon was _not_ a specilaised term for the large round shield the hoplites carried - show me one instance in the primary sources where hoplon means that specific shield. A common error indeed.

Answer 1

Both these words are ancient Greek words.

Hoplon όπλον in ancient Greek meant tool so it can be used to indicate a tool for war in other words weapon. The modern Greeks use this word with its meaning of weapon.

Both in ancient and modern Greek aspis is the shield. The confusion originated because a shield (an aspis) is a hoplon (a tool) of war.

From hoplon derives the word Hoplite in Greek Hopletes οπλίτης which mean the one that can carry a Hoplon ( a weapon a tool of war) or in other words soldier. Hopletes is still used in modern Greek for soldier.

Answer 2

Both words were in use.
Ασπις (Aspis) was the generic word for a shield. But the Hoplites used a modified one, which was called Οπλον (Hoplon).
The word root is Οπλο (Hoplo) meaning "tool". Later the word was modified and Οπλον (Hoplon) was the word used for the shield of the Greek heavy infantry, which took the name Οπλίτης (Hoplite) from it. Units of Hoplites were known as Οπλιτική Φάλαγξ (Hoplite Phalanx).

Answer 3

It's true this is really a statement - but the hoplon error is so common, it deserves space. Many professional historians still make this mistake (though anyone who reads Greek should know the truth.)

Answer 4

I didn't know that, but I also don't know what a hoplite is, I'm guessing it's greek, now you've got me wondering *pops to see what a hoplite is*

Answer 5

Nope

Answer 6

Of course I knew that! How could I make it in life without knowing? Honestly, I'm insulted!

Answer 7

Actually yeah - knew that from playing Gladius

Answer 8

Thanks, but I think for the purposes of Yahoo Answers, that would have to be seen as a statement of fact, not a question.

Answer 9

I do now.

Answer 10

No, I didn´t know that, but thanks for telling me:)