“ “ KORYVANTESKORYVANTES ’’’’Association of Historical Studies

Reconstructing the “Dipylon” Shield

Experimental archaeology,experiential testingand modern educational adaptations

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

Research and construction by

Dimitris KATSIKISResearcher and Re-constructor of ancient weaponrywww.hellenicarmors.com

Study by

Nikolaos KLEISIARISMech. Eng. (MSc, BEng)

Presented by

Christos BOUTSIDISArchaeologist (MA, PhD Candidate)

KORYVANTES Association of Historic Studieskoryvanteshoplites@gmail.com

Research and construction by

Dimitris KATSIKISResearcher and Re-constructor of ancient weaponrywww.hellenicarmors.com

Study by

Nikolaos KLEISIARISMech. Eng. (MSc, BEng)

Presented by

Christos BOUTSIDISArchaeologist (MA, PhD Candidate)

KORYVANTES Association of Historic Studieskoryvanteshoplites@gmail.com

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

The Dipylon Shield – a mystery of the late Bronze Age

The Dipylon shield is a massive elliptical shield with 2 characteristic side openings

It exists since mid-Bronze Age alongside Figure-8 and Sakkos body-shields

It is the only Bronze Age body-shield type still in use throughout Geometric Era and into the Archaic Era evolving gradually into the smaller Boetian shield

No full or even partial physical remains have ever been found probably due to its perishable nature

It is attested in artistic depictions over a period of almost 1000 years but these provide few details

It obviously varied in typology ranging from earlier voluminous body-shields down to Boetian-like sizes

Essentially, like most things of the Geometric Era, its nature and type of use remain a mystery

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

Reconstructing a Dipylon Shield – the body shield variant

In late 2011 our Association undertook the first modern systematic attempt of experimentally reconstructing the Dipylon shield

Following study, an earlier body-shield type in use till early Geometric Era was opted for construction

The construction made exclusive use of natural, locally traced materials, and techniques of the era

Built upon the dimensions of the bearer, it measures 1.25m high, 0.90m wide and has a 0.10m radius of curvature covering the quasi-totality of user’s body

Two 3mm layers of cowhide were tied with leather straps at 80 points around a structural wicker frame completed with mulberry lattice and decorated with 1,2mm copper bosses

The construction emphasized on structural strength, it has a minimum thickness of protection of 6mm of leather and it weighs about 11,5 kg

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

Reconstructing a Dipylon Shield – with baldric and double-grip

The interior of the shield was covered in plain natural thick linen to give it a “campaign” outlook

On the upper side openings there was placed a leather baldric for carrying the shield on shoulder

The grip placement was a major issue as there is no evidence in the ancient representations

The single grip seemed more difficult to handle because of weight and width and associated torque

The Boetian-style vertical double-grip did not cater for all range of movements when the baldric is used

Adding an Argive-type double grip was found to be comfortable in handling particularly for baldric use

The shield may be used carried over the shoulder alone; the double grip also allows the bearer to use any of the grips alone if momentarily needed

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

Testing the Dipylon Shield – a body shield in use

A first opportunity for extensive practical testing of the shield appeared during the event for the 2500 years since the Battle of Marathon

The shield was put to a primary set of basic field tests related to portability and general ease of use

In spite of the shield’s weight, the usage of baldric and double-grip renders it fully portable for long

It allows a range of movements including frontal and side positioning with/without usage of baldric as well as enabling javelin throwing

The shield is voluminous, static and inherently less maneuverable than hoplite shields

Usage of spear through the sides is feasible but requires training as it is not as easy as overarm

The side openings were found to be extremely useful for close-combat and usage of sword

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

The Dipylon Shield – overview of the reconstruction

Our reconstructed Dipylon shield aimed at being an impressive full-body shield of considerable strength

The requirement for structural strength while using materials and tooling of the era was a guideline for the overall reconstruction

It is surprisingly portable for its size and weight due to employment of baldric and double grip

Yet, its maneuverability has limitations as is the case for all voluminous, body-size shields

It can be used with an array of weapons ranging from spears and swords to javelins and slings

It provides high levels of protection from missiles, and cutting/thrusting close-combat weapons

Interestingly, the shield’s lattice presents a spring effect that increases the offered protection

The overall testing has provided experience concerning most types of body-shields in general

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

The reconstructed Dipylon Shield – into popularisation!

KORYVANTES Association works hard to develop and maintain effective channels of popularization

Examples are the Association’s participation in numerous documentaries, TV programmes etc.

An indispensable popularization channel is the direct contact with the public and the live presentation of the Association’s work in the field

The latter is done through participation in established Open Air Museum presentations

During these Association presents and promotes its latest work in reconstructing armor and weaponry as well as showcasing their associated usage

The reconstructed Dipylon was publicly presented in the “Gallo-Roman days” 2012 event, an open air archaeological festival of the Gallo-Roman Museum of Saint-Romain-en-Gal in Vienne, Lyons region, France

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

The reconstructed Dipylon Shield – into mass popularisation!

KORYVANTES Association also works hard to find means of reaching the wider public

The video games industry, today bigger than the film industry, is the ideal mass popularization means

Advanced video games such as ROME TOTAL WAR II (RTWII) played by more than 1 million people around the world form an ideal platform

KORYVANTES Association works with RTWII Greek Community in the development of ‘mods’ adding features with historic depth into the game

This collaborative work resulted in the RTWII Greek Community being voted 3nd best ‘mod’ in the world

The team currently works in a Bronze Age theme featuring Mycenaean units and tactics

By all means, the Dipylon shield that is currently being designed is modelled after our reconstruction!

KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies

Research, experiment, construct, experience, communicate...

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