Aspis

Round shield of the ancient Greek hoplite

The aspis (also called hoplon) was the large round shield of the Greek hoplite heavy infantry, measuring 80-100cm in diameter and weighing 7-8kg. Built from a wooden core faced with thin bronze sheeting, it featured an innovative double-grip system — a central armband (porpax) and a rim handgrip (antilabe) — that provided far greater stability than a single handle. In the phalanx formation, each soldier's shield protected the right side of the man to his left, making the act of dropping one's shield the ultimate dishonor. The very word "hoplite" derives from this shield's alternate name, hoplon.