Does anyone have any references (pictures) of pelta during the 4th century? John Warry in his book," Warfare in the Classical World", made the statement that the peltast during the 4th century tended to get heavier with a larger pelta and other bits of armour. What are the sources for this larger, oval shaped pelta..?
Thanks,
Johnny
Quote:Does anyone have any references (pictures) of pelta during the 4th century? John Warry in his book," Warfare in the Classical World", made the statement that the peltast during the 4th century tended to get heavier with a larger pelta and other bits of armour. What are the sources for this larger, oval shaped pelta..?
Thanks,
Johnny
I think he may be referring to the Iphikratean peltasts, which were not actually light troops but reformed hoplites with 10-foot spears and long swords. In that case, the only idea we have of what their shields looked like are from a literary description which describes their shields as "peltas summetrous" which could possibly mean that they were oval but could also mean that they were crescent-shaped.