Plataean Hoplite

[caiusbeerquitius]

I want my next kit to be that of a Plataean Hoplite, as one might have seen one in the Battle of Marathon. As I do not have that much knowledge about Hoplites, I thought maybe some of you guys have some 'do's' and 'dont's' for me.

Do we know something particular of the Plataeans, as e.g. shield symbol, dress colours, helmet types etc? I know Platae was a small town, but I like thei Plataean's place in history.

THX, Caius

[Jona Lendering]

Here are two pictures of a reconstruction of the Aristion tombstone. Maybe they help. Although this man is an Athenian, his Plataean allies must have looked quite similar.


I hope this helps a bit.

[hoplite14gr]

Possibly Beotian shield, if you do ot like the standart hoplon. Please see related thread for beotian shield .
City emblem the four white suns on black background or the sivler square in black background. Symbols of patron goddess Athena Areia
Kind regards

[Matthew Amt]

I have heard that the top of that tombstone has broken off, so probably what you're seeing on his head is the bottom edge of a regular Corinthian helmet, pushed back off the face as was common when not in battle. Neat to see it in full color!

You've been to my site, right Caius?

http://www.larp.com/hoplite/

Have fun,

Matthew

[Tarbicus]

Matt, are you gonna paint your gear? Those colours are so cool

[Tib. Gabinius]

I ve painted my italian conrinthian helmet like the ariston reconstruction. I ve no idea how to post pics in here so i just can say, its seeable in our forum, and it works and looks really good, esp. cause i painted black around the eyes

[caiusbeerquitius]

Thanks, guys!
I think I prefer the Hoplon, though. I'm still in the planning phase, so first results might take a while... however, be sure that you will see them here.
I like the painted tombstone. Neat.
Any ideas of how to paint the brass helmet?

Matt: Sure I was
And will be

[hoplite14gr]

Thanks, guys!
I think I prefer the Hoplon, though. I'm still in the planning phase, so first results might take a while... however, be sure that you will see them here.
I like the painted tombstone. Neat.
Any ideas of how to paint the brass helmet?

Matt: Sure I was
And will be

Check the "high crests" thread and also except Athena Areia symbols, the red coiled snake was the symbol of Beotian families claiming to be indigenous (SPARTOI)
Kind regards

[Dan Diffendale]

Tobias, here are the links to your pictures of the painted Corinthian....

http://erste-legion.de/forum/userpix/3_bianca_1.jpg
http://erste-legion.de/forum/userpix/3_t1_1.jpg

[Johnny Shumate]

Did they actually paint their armour..!!!!!!?????? Was this a common practice..?
Johnny

[Gaius Decius Aquilius]

Any ideas of how to paint the brass helmet?

Matt: Sure I was
And will be

You mignt try bronze blue, which is a form of Liver of Sulpher, which I am sure has been around awhile. Use a paint brush, let dry without wipeing, as the intructions say. Do a bunch of coats, you get a balck deep blue matt finish. Its cheap and goes a long way. It does smell untill dry. I dont know but this stuff has been around a while. Does anyone know if it shows in the archaeological record? My using it was a "best guess" approach.

Lykaon
(Ralph Izard)

[Gaius Decius Aquilius]

I ve painted my italian conrinthian helmet like the ariston reconstruction. I ve no idea how to post pics in here so i just can say, its seeable in our forum, and it works and looks really good, esp. cause i painted black around the eyes

Is yours a Deepeeka? If so, what is the size they are making on this? I am close to buying one for a Punic War panoply, but have heard nothing about it.

Thanks,

Ralph Izard

[Dan Diffendale]

Ralph, I don't think true Corinthian helmets (like the Deepeeka "Italian Corinthian"/"Italo-Corinthian") were much in vogue by the time of the Punic Wars. On the other hand, true "Italo-Corinthian" (or "Apulo-Corinthian," my preferred term) helmets were all the rage, that is, the helmet designed to be worn up on the head, not covering the face. I wish wish wish helmet manufacturers would stop calling Italian Corinthian (that is, Corinthian-type helmets from Italy) helmets "Italo-Corinthian."

Look here for some Apulo-Corinthian (or "Italo-Corinthian") helmets and
Here for some Corinthian helmets.

[Gaius Decius Aquilius]

Ummm...

I was hoping that Tib. Gabinius's Italo-Corinthian, was in fact, what Deepeeka calls a Early Spartan Corinthian (AH6111), but style wise is referred to as the Italo-Corinthian in common usage. The style in use circa 300 something till Late Republic, maybe. (HAS anyone seen one of these?) Had I looked at the posted pics I would have known better.

Actually the same question applies to the Deepeeka Italo-Corinthian (AH 6058) which is a decent version (I have heard) of the garden variety later Corinthian, the one with ear notches. Which would do very well for a Plataean impression. And is the one in the pics you posted, which I did not look at before posting and have to wonder why I did not, or I would not have made such a gaffe.

This clarification made, to avoid confusion on the unfortunate named Deepeeka products.

Ralph Izard
who is old and not as mentally alert as he should be and also distracted by being relentlessly pursued by hordes of beautiful women

[Dan Diffendale]

I see, you're talking about "AH6111 Spartan's Early Corinthian Helmet". Is this in fact supposed to be an Apulo-Corinthian (or Italo-Corinthian if you insist) type? I rather assumed it was meant to be worn down covering the face like a garden-variety Corinthian. To my eye it doesn't look very convincing otherwise.