10-07-2010, 01:54 AM
No, it is no different to other Greek helmets in strength or materials. The reason they "could not keep out the arrows" is obvious enough. Since they sat on top of the head, they provided no protection at all for face or neck - unlike other types such as the Corinthian or Chalcidic, with their mask, nasals, cheek-pieces and neck-guards. The downside of the latter were that they were hot, stuffy and limited hearing. Incidently,Thucydides also goes on to add that the Spartans were also discomfited by the broken shafts of javelins stuck in their shields/armour...
There are those who believe the word 'piloi', since it can mean either the original felt cap, or the identically shaped bronze helmet, does mean 'felt cap' in this instance, based on the fact that they "could not keep out arrows", but I think that there is no need for such a postulation to explain matters - it is far more likely that helmets are meant, since they are worn by hoplites.....
There are those who believe the word 'piloi', since it can mean either the original felt cap, or the identically shaped bronze helmet, does mean 'felt cap' in this instance, based on the fact that they "could not keep out arrows", but I think that there is no need for such a postulation to explain matters - it is far more likely that helmets are meant, since they are worn by hoplites.....
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff