The ancient Greek warrior

The ancient Greek hoplite was always present in all the armed conflicts of the Greek city-states from the archaic era up to the hellenistic years (8th -1st century B.C.). The hoplite was an evolution of the Mycenaean warrior, with the word hoplite taking its name from the warrior's round shield called hoplon. Whether it was a battle between Greek cities or against external threats (such as the Persians), the hoplite was called upon to defend his city by applying all the battle techniques of the time.

The way of fighting of the ancient Greeks was the so-called phalanx, a rectangular formation with the spears extended and the shields creating a wall of metal at the front of the line. The moment the shields came into contact when two phalanxes collided and what followed when the pressure (othismos) and the spearing against the enemy began, was an extremely violent and noisy process. The battle most crucial moment was when the opposing formation broke and fled, leaving behind dead and weapons for the victor to raise a trophy.

In order for the soldier to face the severe conditions of the battle, he had to carry the appropriate weaponry. This usually consisted of a bronze helmet, brass greaves, a brass or linen breastplate with metal parts, a large round shield (made of brass, wood and leather), a spear and an iron sword. The armor weighed up to 25 kilograms.

The phalanx, like the weaponry, evolved and varied over the centuries depending on the needs of each era. Among the most famous phalanxes were the Spartan, Theban and Macedonian. The absolute discipline and training of the hoplites often judged the outcome of the battle; it was a decisive factor in the elimination of the Persian threat in the early 5th century. B.C., as well as in the campaign of Alexander the Great in Persia in the 4th c. B.C.

Ancient art has described in detail the hoplite art of war, with depictions on pottery, warrior tombstones, statues, etc. a fact that gives a complete idea of how and by whom a war was conducted in ancient Greece. In this Thematic Exhibition we will tour around the world of the ancient warrior via pottery shreds, statues, tombstones, weaponry remains, inscribed pieces of marble, clay tiles, wall painting fragments and more.