Greek/ Hoplite Spear and shield?

**Hooded Justice** · Posted On: 2/26/2009 2:43pm

I've been curious about spear and shield techniques for a while but mostly since I've re watched Troy and 300. Most of what I can find video wise is boffer larp crap or people attempting to imitate the movies in very unrealistic ways. I have no illusions about epic duels but I have to assume that there were certain techniques that were practiced just like any other combat weapon. Also I am sure that since spear and shield was mostly used by troops in formations that there was little focus on single combat aspects and when it did get to that point the spear was probably dropped and a sword drawn, but when you think about hoplite groups and skirmishers they went in with spear and shield as well as other thrown and melee weapons so there had to be some sort of training that was oriented towards single combat even if it wasn't as prominent as it became with the sword. Aside from the chinese spear fighting vid I posted in the CMA forum, which was two handed spears, I've only been able to find guys in replica armor flailing at each other with varying levels of skill and aliveness.

YouTube - Allen teaching Hoplite shield and spear

This one looks like they are trying to imitate the movie Troy. No speaking or narration.

YouTube - Boeotian Shield Usage

Guy seems to have a decent idea of mechanics of using a shield. Some vids of shield construction in his channel.

YouTube - lucha individual

Sadly the closest I could find to any sort of "alive" spear and shield stuff that didn't involve cardboard shields and foam weapons, though other vids in the channel have foam tipped weapons.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Spartan307

This guy has a decent collection of documentary vids on several different warrior cultures definately worth a look. Haven't had a chance to watch them all but have seen the ones about the battle of Thermopoly before and it seems to be based more around historical reality than legends and fantasy.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 2/27/2009 1:38am

I sometimes work a steel buckler into the mix when sparring with weapons. Shields are neat.

**odysseus_dallas** · Posted On: 2/27/2009 4:24am

The problem is that the only techniques we might ever glean at are from shards of pottery dating from Ancient Greece, mostly. Despite being an overly popular weapon in the past, by the time fechtbuchs even began, the spear & shield armament combination was relegated to peasants, which I doubt where taught anything but basic formation drills.

**CoffeeFan** · Posted On: 2/27/2009 2:21pm

You could always purchase Cold Steel's Self Defense with a Spear, which is funny in itself

**Truculent Sheep** · Posted On: 2/27/2009 3:43pm

Wouldn't the Phalanx depend more on training men to fight as part of a unit as opposed to fighting individually?

**MaverickZ** · Posted On: 2/27/2009 3:50pm

One of the better texts on the subject matter:
Amazon.com: The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece: Victor Davis Hanson: Books

**Jack Rusher** · Posted On: 2/27/2009 5:04pm

I'll ask some of my friends in Athens if they know of anyone doing this sort of thing with any degree of seriousness. The closest project I can think of off the top of my head, especially for single combat, is the Italian effort to revive gladiatorial combat:

YouTube - Ars Dimicandi - i Gladiatori

**Hooded Justice** · Posted On: 2/27/2009 10:01pm

Originally Posted by Jack Rusher

I'll ask some of my friends in Athens if they know of anyone doing this sort of thing with any degree of seriousness. The closest project I can think of off the top of my head, especially for single combat, is the Italian effort to revive gladiatorial combat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDCOILg_9QY

Watching the guy use the trident and net seems like it would be similar to using a shield and spear at least as far as using a pole weapon one handed. What are the "rules of engagement" for that kind of gladiator competition?

**DdlR** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 12:48am

Originally Posted by Hooded Justice

What are the "rules of engagement" for that kind of gladiator competition?

"Try not to kill each other."

**Jack Rusher** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 9:06am

Originally Posted by Hooded Justice

What are the "rules of engagement" for that kind of gladiator competition?

I can't tell you much. I tried to set up a training session with some of these guys the last time I was in Rome, but it didn't work out so I ended up training parkour instead.