Hoplite Equipment: Bronze breastplate from mainland Greece, 600-500 BCE. Bronze Helmet Corinth, 550 BCE. Bronze greave from mainland Greece, 450-350 BCE.

The standard panoply of the hoplite, or armored infantryman, consisted of a helmet, breastplate, bronze greaves, a spear, and a heavy circular shield known as a hoplon. Because providing one's own gear was a requirement of citizenship, the cavalry was strictly reserved for the wealthiest elite who could afford the significant cost of maintaining a horse.

Exhibited in the Madrid National Archaeological Museum, Madrid, Spain.

Tags:
Archaic Bronze Ceramics Classical Clay Corinth Helmet Hoplite Madrid Madrid National Archaeological Museum Martial Original Photo Pottery Spain