07-16-2009, 08:53 PM
I have been looking over how ancient artist portrayed hoplites. I'm convinced the answer is "not very realistically" due to contraints painting on a 2-D surface. This is an image that I find very telling. It is interesting because hoplites are often shown advancing with their shields edge on, the blazons facing towards us or away. There are a few imaged that show hoplites advancing with the shield in profile- facing the evemy- but usually these are lone men or a static line. Below is an early aryballos that is in Berlin. The force on the right advances as we see on many vases, like the almost contemporary Chigi , edge on. The force on the left advances in the same formation, but with the shields in profile.
As far as I know this is a unique solution to the problem of perspective. It looks weird enough that I can see why it was not often repeated. It is of course unlikely that the two forces were actually holding the shield differently so close to contact. It would seem most likely to me that the portrayal on the left is the most accurately portrayed, while on the right realism is sacrificed for style and the ability to show shield blazons. Since I can think of no reason other than realism to show the shields in profile as on the left, it is not likely to be an artistic device.
As far as I know this is a unique solution to the problem of perspective. It looks weird enough that I can see why it was not often repeated. It is of course unlikely that the two forces were actually holding the shield differently so close to contact. It would seem most likely to me that the portrayal on the left is the most accurately portrayed, while on the right realism is sacrificed for style and the ability to show shield blazons. Since I can think of no reason other than realism to show the shields in profile as on the left, it is not likely to be an artistic device.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
