06-01-2005, 10:47 AM
Gaius Opius Fugi\\n[quote]Hmm, so far it seems most people responding to this poll are saying they're thinking about it.
And the second-largest group is the "Noes"!
Yes, it is difficult to get the kit and can be very expensive and/or time-consuming, but more kit is coming onto the market and the cost is decreasing all the time. The greater the demand becomes, the cheaper kit is likely to become. I have said elsewhere that I have designed a shield for manufacture by Ashok Rai, in India. These should be quite cheap*, and on sale late this year.
For would-be Hoplites in the UK, The Hoplite Association has a couple of spare shields, helmets and dories, which you can borrow while you acquire your own. We will also teach you how to make a linothorax, a chiton and sandals. Finally, our members can make and supply these things for you, as well as weapons, if you'd rather spend money than time. Our Armourer is taking steps to producing shields himself, while other members have made shields as a one-off.
I note that there is a huge amount of talent for making re-constructions in America (Matthew Amt, contributor to this forum, springs to mind) and mainland Europe, so what's holding people back? I look forward to the day when I will march in a lochos of Hoplites from all over the world, shaded from the sun by the arrows of Persian re-enactors, ditto! So come on, Hoplites of the world, march!
* i.e. much less than the £300-£400 you can pay now.
And the second-largest group is the "Noes"!
Yes, it is difficult to get the kit and can be very expensive and/or time-consuming, but more kit is coming onto the market and the cost is decreasing all the time. The greater the demand becomes, the cheaper kit is likely to become. I have said elsewhere that I have designed a shield for manufacture by Ashok Rai, in India. These should be quite cheap*, and on sale late this year.
For would-be Hoplites in the UK, The Hoplite Association has a couple of spare shields, helmets and dories, which you can borrow while you acquire your own. We will also teach you how to make a linothorax, a chiton and sandals. Finally, our members can make and supply these things for you, as well as weapons, if you'd rather spend money than time. Our Armourer is taking steps to producing shields himself, while other members have made shields as a one-off.
I note that there is a huge amount of talent for making re-constructions in America (Matthew Amt, contributor to this forum, springs to mind) and mainland Europe, so what's holding people back? I look forward to the day when I will march in a lochos of Hoplites from all over the world, shaded from the sun by the arrows of Persian re-enactors, ditto! So come on, Hoplites of the world, march!
* i.e. much less than the £300-£400 you can pay now.
