Slitherine

Leaving aside the Spartans is there any evidence that hoplites fought in companies, demarcated by colours or other distinguishing features, perhaps linked to a particular neighbourhood or fraternity? I know they were citizen soldiers but thought they still might have grouped themselves together voluntarily somehow.

Eques wrote:Leaving aside the Spartans is there any evidence that hoplites fought in companies, demarcated by colours or other distinguishing features, perhaps linked to a particular neighbourhood or fraternity? I know they were citizen soldiers but thought they still might have grouped themselves together voluntarily somehow.

From my understanding they would provide their own armour and equipment, so it would be a helmet, shield and spear. That makes them a hoplite. Decisions to wear armour etc was individual. Indeed, probably wearing a helmet was as well.

There were SOME city state hoplites (Syracuse for example) and they would probably be more regimented.

Generally, I think they wore the days clothing and whatever they bought, hence the diversified panopoly.

In terms of clothing, it would have been up to the individual. The helmets varied geographically; for example Corinth gave rise to the Corinthian style. Shield designs were sometime individual choice, sometimes city states all had the same. I imagine individual choice allowed your heroic deeds to be recognised, while having the same shield as your mates might avoid the ancient equivalent of "friendly fire" mistakes.

A good website is http://www.ne.jp/asahi/luke/ueda-sarson ... rns_1.html

Thanks