Greek Hoplite shield designs

[tonydawe]

I'm currently painting Young Miniatures excellent Greek Hoplite bust and I'm seeking inspiration for a challenging and authentic traditional design motif for the hoplite shield. I've seen some amazing examples and I'd like to see what other Planeteers can suggest.

Any colour images would be gratefully accepted.

 

[Chrisr]

Hi Tony,

Type in Greek Hoplite Shield Designs on your search engine ( I use Safari) and there are lots of designs under Images for Greek Hoplite Shield designs. This link gives a large number of them: http://www.warlordgames.com/new-greek-and-spartan-shield-designs/ . Also this link: http://lukeuedasarson.com/Greek_shield_patterns_1.html and this one: http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/s-73-greek-shields.aspx

Trust that helps.

Best wishes
Chris

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks Chris,

I started with Google Images and I've managed to find most of these sites and shield designs already. These designs are mainly for war gaming and are a modern design interpretations of historical images. I'm looking for something authentically historic and detailed. I'll keep looking.

 

[Chrisr]

Hi Tony,

The second link is historical, and the author says he has taken them from old Greek vases, showing a couple of them.The shields are listed by period, and while not as colourful as the wargaming shields, appear to be more authentic.

Cheers
Chris

 

[megroot]

Hey Tony, I found this, maybe you allready have it. This collection is mainly intended to help wargamers painting their Greek armies. These shield patterns have been garnered mostly from books on vases and other items of pottery in museums around the world. There are 200-odd patterns here at the moment, and more get added slowly as and when I get the time, but it's a slow job.

http://lukeuedasarson.com/Greek_shield_patterns_1.html

Marc

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks Marc, that site was one that Chris attached in his first post on this thread. I've looked at the examples shown but nothing really jumped out at me and said "paint this". I'm still looking.

 

[Mirofsoft]

Youn can try Achille Shield

 

[Mark S]

Ooh, that one looks good Tony......give that one a go!....

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks Mirosoft and Mark, I think I'll wait for someone else to make another suggestion.

 

[arj]

How about the Sun of Vergina:-
http://history-of-macedonia.com/2008/04/10/sun-of-vergina-a-greek-symbol/

Andrew

 

[Mark S]

Wow..great link Andrew....certainly worth consideration Tony.

 

[Trex]

Hi Tony, this link may help you.
Move your mouse cursor over the designs and you can see their description.

 

[badger]

does anyone make decals for 120mm scale greek /Spartan shields.

 

[DEL]

does anyone make decals for 120mm scale greek /Spartan shields.

Not sure but at this scale it should be pretty easy to cut a stencil using masking film or even a better quality masking tape.
Once you've got a geometric pattern round the edge you can then do the same for a central motif.
The inverted V on the Spartan shield couldn't be easier.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the link to the Sun of Vergina website. I think this fits my needs perfectly. It's genuinely historically accurate and provides me with enough scope as a painter to combine several artistic elements to make it look good too. Thanks very much indeed.

Trex, thanks for your link too. I've decided upon the 16 point start of Vergina as the shield design for my Hoplite.

 

[garyhiggins]

I forget which battle it was at, but one spartan warrior painted a lifesize fly on his shield. When he was asked "why?". He replied "Because I am going to get so close to the enemy it will look like a lion!" Probably not very helpful but it's a nice story anyway.
Best wishes, Gary.

 

[Gaudin]

Have you tried a search in Greek? few interesting designs cropped up, you may have seen them already...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ασπίδα του οπλίτη&espv=2&biw=1440&bih=768&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vymIVffPPIKQsAHy-r-YBg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

 

[Mark S]

I never knew those Packman Ghosts were based on ancient Greek armour.........
You learn stuff everyday on pF.

 

[chris1]

Hi Tony
See if you can work a Roo into the design somehow. Hidden as a little in joke.


Chris

 

[garyhiggins]

Chris, I'm fairly sure there weren't any Hoplites in the outback. Goddd, whatever next,,,,,,,,,,, Crusaders with tommy guns????? .