Ancient Greek Hoplite Spartan shield bearing the Gorgoneion. The Gorgoneion was a special amulet showing the Gorgon head, used most famously by Athena and Zeus. It was assumed, among other godlike attributes, as a royal aegis to imply divine birth or protection. The shield, aspis in Greek, was carried by Greek infantry (hoplites) of various periods and is often referred to as a hoplon. The shield, aspis in Greek, was carried by Greek infantry (hoplites) of various periods and is often referred to as a hoplon. A hoplon shield was a deeply dished shield made of wood. Some shields had a thin sheet of bronze on the outer face, often just around the rim. In some periods, the convention was to decorate the aspis; in others, it was usually left plain. This is not a full sized shield. Probably the most famous aspis decoration is that of Sparta: a capital lambda.. (more on Spartan Art of War…) The shield comes with a marble stand and it is not a full size shield.
