- Peltarion (shield)
Externalimage|align=right|width=300px|
http://uoregon.edu/~klio/maps/gr/peltast2.jpgPeltast with Peltarion] (5th century BCE)|
http://www.herowars.com/new/images/DoblianDogeater_tn.jpgSoldier with a peltarion and a modified sickle]A peltarion, pelta or pelte was a
crescent -shapedwicker shield commonly used in the ancient world before the 3rd century BCE and gradually replaced in some cases with thethureos .Xenophon describes the shield as "round" but such round shields are rare in contemporary art. It could either be carried with a central hand-grip or a double grip similar to anaspis . It also usually had a carring strap to allow it to be slung from the back. According toAristotle it was rimless and covered with goat or sheep skin. The shield was carried by many troops of period including the light Ancient Greek infantry known asPeltast s. SomePersia n and other Eastern troops used shields similar to the pelte such as LaterAchaemenid takabara. It can also be seen inScythian art. It seems however that the shield used inGreece had its origins inThrace and centralEurope .ee also
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Shield
*Aspis
*Clipeus
*Peltast
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