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The representation of Greek hoplite body-armour in the art of the fifth and fourth centuries B.C

The thesis presents a detailed, comparative analysis of the representations of the body-armour associated with the Greek hoplite, the heavily-armed foot-soldier, as depicted in art, ca. 500-300 B.C. The Introduction defines the topic and its aims and explains the approach adopted. Chapter 1 deals with the representations of the different types of helmet, namely the Corinthian, Attic, Chalcidian, Illyrian and Thracian and the pilos. Chapter 2 discusses the armour vorn on the torso, i.e. the improved bell-corselet, the muscle-corselet and the linen-corselet, and the frequent absence of these. In Chapter 3 the greaves (leg-guards) are considered. Each section looks at the literary evidence for the item, the originals, if any survive, and the artistic representations, primarily on Attic red-figure and whiteground vases, but also in sculpture, minor works of art, gems, rings, and coinage. The Conclusion summarises the findings and suggests some ways in which the theme might be extended in the future. Three Appendices review the evidence for helmet crests, the origin of the Thracian helmet, and an unusual form of pilos (i.e. with a bend in the side-edge). A Catalogue of the Attic vases follows. The Figures present drawings of the surviving Corinthian helmets and most of the armour portrayed in the vase-paintings, while the Plates illustrate a representative sample of the material studied.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:348494
Date January 1984
CreatorsHannah, Patricia Ann
PublisherUniversity of Oxford
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Sourcehttp://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:0814a0f0-5708-4798-bb33-67f4463cc388

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