09-29-2011, 07:12 PM
What do you mean exactly? Just turning the hips can power a powerful blow with the rear hand, although reach will be greater with a pace, but I haven't worked with Greek hopla.
I would guess that striking with a pace was preferred for single combat, and striking with the feet fixed was preferred in a line. The one 16th century manual on single combat with partisan (in the overhand grip) and rotella (probably in the outside ward) mostly uses passes to power strikes and parries. A hoplite running into combat would not always be able to chose which foot was forward when he struck!
Paul, I don't see any other martially sound way to interpret the hoplite with the centaur shield blazon in the image you linked than outside ward. We also see this guard in freestanding Greek sculpture such as the Solocha Comb.
I would guess that striking with a pace was preferred for single combat, and striking with the feet fixed was preferred in a line. The one 16th century manual on single combat with partisan (in the overhand grip) and rotella (probably in the outside ward) mostly uses passes to power strikes and parries. A hoplite running into combat would not always be able to chose which foot was forward when he struck!
Paul, I don't see any other martially sound way to interpret the hoplite with the centaur shield blazon in the image you linked than outside ward. We also see this guard in freestanding Greek sculpture such as the Solocha Comb.
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
