09-13-2007, 08:14 AM
Quote:One argument is the mentioning of the "hollow shield", a hint to the new hoplite shield with the big belly, which was not used in Homeric times."hollow shield" is a typical Homeric phrase, used by him in Book XII for example (Alexander Pope translation) - use of the phrase is a deliberate echo of Homer - many greek poets did this.
Also, the big-bellied type of Aspis did not exist at that time either - it only appears in art in the last quarter of the sixth century, so once again Alkaios is using a crystal ball to gaze into the future !!
![Confused Confused](https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/images/smilies/confused.png)
Quote:He mentions armour which is never seen elsewhere in GreeceTo what are you referring here? His recommended cavalry armour ? It did exist, and neck-guards of the type he describes exist ( see ante)
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff