idea on the shield ropes use

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

I just saw this video and wondering about your opinion on this idea. One main problem to me is the lack of even one representation in ancient art.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbPSvJt3E...re=related
Khairete
Giannis

[Matthew Amt]

Yeah, I'm dubious, too. The thought of not being able to suddenly twitch right to cover because the guy to my right is holding on to my shield carrying rope, or worse is ducking the other direction, just doesn't give me warm fuzzies. Gut reaction! What does the literature say on "locking shields"?

Matthew

[rrgg]

Aside from maybe keeping the troops in line would that provide any advantages in combat?

[PMBardunias]

This is an idea we kicked around years back (I think on here), when we first noticed the "grip" that is often shown on the left hand side of the aspis. There is at least one good image of two men struggling over a shield by holding the grips on opposite sides. I may have written on my blog of this. My objection to the way they are using it is that a) it is never shown, b) it is never mentioned, and would have to be a discrete stage because you need two hands to get it into your hand, and c)the slack shown in the rope is never at the point of the "grip"- you never see the grip dangling like it would if used this way. If they ever made use of the grip it would be with the right hand once things have gone to the dogs and the spear is lost.

More likely that second grip was simply used to carry things in the bowl of the shield- like dying Spartans home to their mothers.

I give them kudos for trying new things, but it goes to show that just because some thing could be done does not mean it was. Note for instance how akward it is with only two men. It almost gets dragged out of his hand. Imagine a full battle line attempting this. Once it slips out how do you reaquire it with your arm in the air and a hand full of dory? Also, that stabbing under the shields is laughable to me if you have a rank behind you.

For the record, I think that rope is a decorative holdover from the aspis's precursor, probably wicker or of less robust construction, that needed the internal truss as a brace. I can't say if the wooden aspis ever had a rope truss, but surely the metal bands near the rim on later shields are functioning this way in some shields. This is the same progression seen in the decorative porpax straps, which are not even secured to the shield in some cases for most of their length, and the guilloche pattern on the rim. The rope was surely not for slinging the shield, because we have very clear images that show both a robust sling and the rope at the same time.

By the way, even this idea would work better if the shields overlapped the other way! That way you would lock the shield-rims together and the ension would always be pulling against your 4 fingers. This was, when the shield comes closer to you, as you have holding it is your thumb, soon to be broken.