Hoplites of the Archaic Age

[Paullus Scipio]

Apologies Duncan......some confusion creeping in here....when I see the words 'cutout' or 'Boeotian' shield, I think of the type depicted on Classical vases, and mentally associate that with classical times. In my mind 'Di-pylon' or 'figure eight' describes the actual Mycenaen shields - perhaps we should agree some definitions.
The title should have told me that was not the case here.....and I would entirely agree that in warfare of what we may call 'Homeric' times ( whatever those are!) he describes a much 'looser' style of warfare involving missile warfare etc in which a shield slung behind, and which does not limit mobility would be very useful...as you say,Duncan, more 'peltast' than 'Hoplite'. Those fortunate enough to have seen film-clips of New Guinea Highland tribesmen fighting battles will have a good idea of how this semi-ritualised form of warfare may have looked. ( digression: they still fight that way, only now with AK47's and M-16's! hock: )
Giannis wrote

This implies the Boeotians were using caps of dog skin. Would they enter the battle with leather caps?

....Giannis, you may recall that it used to be thought that 'piloi' referred only to 'dogskin caps', and that the Spartans on Sphacteria were supposedly wearing these, especially since they failed to keep out arrows.....but as our knowledge grew it became apparent that 'pilos' could mean a metal helmet too....Demosthenes is speaking quite 'late', at a time when what we call 'Boeotian' helmets were quite common. I'd suggest he is probably describing what we think of as 'proto-Boeotian ' metal helmets.