Iphicratean Thureophoroi

[PMBardunias]

We can't say for sure whether the shields were round, or oval, or crescent shaped.

This is a very different question than our usual symmetry arguements. I am focussed solely on the grip, a single central grip, like a scutum- vs- a double-grip like the porpax and antilabe of the aspis or most pelta.

We don't double grip our spears with or without pelte.

I think we are semantically crossed I mean is your pelta held in a double-grip along the forearm or with just the hand.

I've written a bit on this on my blog- go back a few months:

http://hollow-lakedaimon.blogspot.com/

Second, overhand offers the fighter a wider selection of targets and a greater capability to feint.

I think of it as a gun in a turret -vs- a gun in a sponson. You've probably seen me write this before, but don't think that hoplites EVER fought in formation with spears held underhand. After the enemy breaks is when underhand becomes a possibility- and if I had held my spear up that long I would surely do this! Late Romans seem to use a "high underhand", almost couched like a lance, which one to hold a spear from behind it's balance point, but I doubt this for hoplites. The "raised underhand", I just coined the term for holding the spear above your shoulder with the fingers facing away and the thumb towards the point, is possible, but limits the range of motion.

The reason I think an underhand thrust will be favored in a long spear is the inertia of the length of spear behind the hand. As you have probably noticed a counterweighted spear with less than a third of its length behind the hand points faster and easier than the same spear held in the center. A taper and a small head will improve this even more. To show the concept in its extreme, try turning your counterweighted spear backward and pointing the saroter.

My thought on the 12' spear is that it is not meant to be held overhand and thus not counterweighted as extremely as a dory. An 8' dory counterweighted to be gripped at about a third from the base projects about 5' 4" from the hand. A 12' spear gripped in the middle projects about 6' from the hand. So the larger spear is simply to create parity and really not much longer in useful length.


You probably know all of this so I am writing for the lurkers