01-14-2006, 08:10 PM
I think I would take a different tact and associate the spolas with exactly who we know; courtesy of Xenophon was wearing it, mercenaries. While some men like Xenophon were political exiles, it seem me most were more likely driven to the profession due to poverty or similar economic factors. The cuirass was one place a mercenary hoplite could cut costs since the chest was nominally already covered by his aspis. That is I presume the potential mercenary would have to cut cost somewhere, since I think that if he could afford a full hoplite kit, he would not likely be under economic pressure to become a mercenary…
I tend to see ekdromoi more as an ad-hoc duty or function rather than a class; similar to the way serving as point is a role in an infantry platoon, not a separate class of soldier. Given that I’m not so ready to envision ekdromoi hoplites wearing a spolas while regular ones were some heavier cuirass.
I tend to see ekdromoi more as an ad-hoc duty or function rather than a class; similar to the way serving as point is a role in an infantry platoon, not a separate class of soldier. Given that I’m not so ready to envision ekdromoi hoplites wearing a spolas while regular ones were some heavier cuirass.
Paul Klos
\'One day when I fly with my hands -
up down the sky,
like a bird\'
\'One day when I fly with my hands -
up down the sky,
like a bird\'