Classical Hoplites – heavy Infantry

The Hoplites formed the backbone of the greek infantry. Their equipment includes Helmet, Cuirass or Linothorax and greaves. Centerpiece of their armament was a round shield called Aspis with a diameter of 80-100 cm and a 2 - 2.50 meter long spear called Dori. As a melee weapon a short sword or a Kopis was used.

Ekdromoi – light Hoplites

In contrast to the classical Hoplites this branch of service did not wear any body armor, just a helmet, shield, spear and sword.

Peltasts - lightly armed Infantry

Peltasts were lightly armed infantry, who mostly wore caps instead of helmets. Their protection consisted of a small shield (Pelte) and their arms were javelins and a short sword.

Psiloi - lightly armed Infantry

Psiloi were lightly armed infantry, who - in contrast to the Peltasts - did not carry protective equipment like shields. We differentiate between Akontistai (javeliners), Sphendonetai (slingers) and Toxotai (archers).

 

Hypaspists - Shield-Bearers

The Hypaspists were an elite unit of aristocratic origin. They were a lot more mobile than the Pezhetairoi and formed a connection between the Phalanx and the cavalry (Hetairoi). Their equipment is more similar to the one of a classical Hoplite than to the equipment of the Pezhetairoi. That means they carried the approximately 2.50 meter long Dori and Aspis.

Pezhetairoi – Companions on Foot

The Pezhetairoi or Phalangites formed the bulk of the macedon army. Their equipment included a helmet, a Linothorax, cuirass or only the front of a cuirass as body armor. Greaves were in use to protect the legs. The armament of the Pezhetairoi was composed of a small concave shield with a diameter of approxamately 60 cm and a lance called Sarissa that was about 5.50 meters long.

 

The Thracians were an indogermanic people in Southeast Europe and Southwest Asia. They had close contacts with the greek culture. They were organized in tribes, which were lead by chieftains or kings. The bulk of their soldiers was formed by Peltasts (javeliners, slingers and archers). They were equipped with shields in different forms, the so called Peltes, javelins and swords of different types like Kopis, Rhomphaia and Xiphos.

The portrayal of the life in acient Greece must of course not be limited to the military. For that reason we also aim to reconstruct civil and camp life. We portray a whole range of aspects of life outside the military concerning religion, leisure activities, music or ancient cuisine.