Hoplites of the Archaic Age

[Chris B]

To add one more point that may strengthen your argument, but to be fair, is something that becomes readily apparent when making one is that the structural strength of the aspis is due to its shape and the rim. The force of a blow would be dissipated by the shape and the thickness of the rim. When you cut two holes out of the shield at its strongest point, you structurally compromise that strength and the shield no longer is as strong. Basically, the hole shield including the heaviest portion of the rim is supported by the center or thinnest section. That really makes no sense from an engineering standpoint.

I am not sorry I made it either way. It was a fun project, and I am still not convinced it never existed. Actually, I think it is pretty pretentious for anyone to say authoritatively that it did not exist. Unless you’re a God, there is no way for you to know that with unequivocal certainty. To sum up my own view, I can see physical reasons why it wouldn't be as intelligent a design as the aspis. If it did exist, then I think it would have more likely been used for more individualized combat. Either way, it doesn't really matter because noone can prove their view. Even mine is just an opinion.