Status Updates From Storm of Spears

Chapter 4 - The main stance of the hoplite was an oblique one which allowed him to use his shoulder to reinforce his shield, which was overlapped with his neighbor's, and still be free to wield his spear effectively.

Interestingly, scenes in Greek art with hoplites holding their weapon above are depicting a javelin, not the traditional hoplite spear. This may be in part because the artist is portraying them in a heroic way (Homeric, where the warriors do throw their spears).

Chapter 2 - There are four attested (in ancient art) positions in deploying the spear in hoplite combat: the low, the overhead, the underarm, and the reverse.

Chapter 1 - "... the average hoplite weapon was approximately 2.5m in length, had an iron head weighing around 153g and bronze sauroter weighing 329g affixed to either end of a shaft that had either a uniform diameter of 25mm or tapered from 19mm at the front to 25mm at the back. The overall weight of the spear was over 1.3kg and had a point of balance approximately 89cm from the rear of the weapon."

It is unusual for a historian/classicist to hold my attention as deftly as the author. I disagree with some conclusions, but an excellent addition to the field.

It is unusual for a historian/classicist to hold my attention as deftly as the author. I disagree with some conclusions, but an excellent addition to the field.

The author advances some excellent arguments about hoplite equipment and fighting style, based upon careful analysis of archaeological remains, available literature, and practical recreation. Very insightful!