The dory!
The dory was the main weapon of the spartans. It was a spear that was about 2 metres in length. It was wielded with one hand. At one end was an iron or bronze leaf shaped point. At the other was a small spike called the sauroter (which is greek for lizard killer). The sauroter had lot's of uses, it could be used as a secondary weapon if the spear head broke. It could also finish off fallen enemies who were on the ground. It may also have been used to stab the toes of enemy soldiers. The handle was made of wood and was highly durable. Leather was then wrapped around the area the spartans would use to grip the spear.
The Xiphos and the Kopis
The Xiphos
The spartans also carried a secondary weapon. This was either the xiphos or the kopis. The Xiphos was a short sword that was used either when there was no room to manouvere a spear or the spear had been broken. This was extremely common when two phalanxes collided. It was also useful to slip past the sheilds of opposing enemies. The throat and the groin were favourite targets for the spartans.
The kopis however was a cross between a sword and an axe. Instead of being a clean cutting weapon like the dory or the xiphos. It had a curved blade and was quite large. It was often used to hack at the enemy inflicting mortally wounding blows.
The kopis however was a cross between a sword and an axe. Instead of being a clean cutting weapon like the dory or the xiphos. It had a curved blade and was quite large. It was often used to hack at the enemy inflicting mortally wounding blows.
The Aspis
An aspis
The spartan shield or aspis was mainly for defensive reasons, but spartans used it to bash their enemies. This could do a lot of things it might stun them push them back and make room to use weapons or knock them to the ground, making them easy targets for the dory's sauroter. Most of the shields were made of wood with an outer layer of bronze. Each weighed on average 30 pounds or 13 kilograms.
The Corinthian Helmet
The corinthian helmet was the most of common helmet of the spartan warriors. It was named after the city state corinth. It was made of bronze. It covered the whole head with gaps for the eyes and mouth. The curve at the bottom protects the neck from frontal attacks.
Spartan greaves
To protect their shins the spartans also wore greaves, these were also usally made of bronze.