01-20-2006, 11:31 AM
Apparently, many of them lost their extremities, toes, noses, ears, fingertips, to frostbite, but I seriously doubt that any of this was the result of going barefoot. It (loss of toes) happened to Sir Edmund Hilary, and he was wearing mountain boots. The Greeks soon learnt to wear Thracian boots.
What I wonder about is how they covered the rest of them. A himation is far too clumsy a garment to wear on active service. A heavy cloak is also a problem, although you can belt it on. The garments we're accustomed to seeing would leave much of the legs and arms exposed and allow the wind to get in. I imagine they would have worn the heavy woollen tunic some think is the Spolas - and had it made a great deal longer than the chiton normally appears to be! I've found that greaves are good for keeping the lower leg warm, although the liners would get wet and cold if you were traipsing through snow.
Usually, we're told it was the hit-and-run tactics of the Thracian Peltastoi which defeated Athenian Hoplites, but I think the lack of specialist clothing may have contributed more to the casualty lists and to the inability of the Hoplites to pursue the enemy than some commentators seem to imply.
What I wonder about is how they covered the rest of them. A himation is far too clumsy a garment to wear on active service. A heavy cloak is also a problem, although you can belt it on. The garments we're accustomed to seeing would leave much of the legs and arms exposed and allow the wind to get in. I imagine they would have worn the heavy woollen tunic some think is the Spolas - and had it made a great deal longer than the chiton normally appears to be! I've found that greaves are good for keeping the lower leg warm, although the liners would get wet and cold if you were traipsing through snow.
Usually, we're told it was the hit-and-run tactics of the Thracian Peltastoi which defeated Athenian Hoplites, but I think the lack of specialist clothing may have contributed more to the casualty lists and to the inability of the Hoplites to pursue the enemy than some commentators seem to imply.
