08-31-2007, 03:32 AM
Many thanks, Laran! That picture is excellent for my research on Persian warfare. Laus ad te! Has that sarcophagus been published anywhere other than Arkeo-Atlas?
Its interesting that the shields lack the slight semicircular cutout of the Sidon Sarcophagus ones. Those peltai were certainly hide-faced wood, but these look like wood possibly faced with another material.
(A slight side-note Kai: if you look at the Greek of Xenophon's description of the enemy line at Cunaxa, you will find that Tissaphernes' men wore "bright body-armour" rather than the common English translation of "white cuirasses." The adjective can mean "white", but "bright" or "shining" is the core meaning and would make just as much sense in context).
Its interesting that the shields lack the slight semicircular cutout of the Sidon Sarcophagus ones. Those peltai were certainly hide-faced wood, but these look like wood possibly faced with another material.
(A slight side-note Kai: if you look at the Greek of Xenophon's description of the enemy line at Cunaxa, you will find that Tissaphernes' men wore "bright body-armour" rather than the common English translation of "white cuirasses." The adjective can mean "white", but "bright" or "shining" is the core meaning and would make just as much sense in context).
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.