Greek Archery is a horrifically misrepresented topic. Most of it comes from misconceptions perpetuated by 1st C BC - AD Roman era writers. The second is trying to characterize its practice as either "eastern" or "western" archery, a concept that mostly emerged in the 19th c. no thanks to Edward Morse. From everything that could be gathered, it resembles neither of these. There's also the 'Scythian Mercenary' myth which refuses to die and is the absolute bane of my existence.
It was, I believe, 38 degrees fahrenheit in this video. I make a habit of wearing shorts in cold weather, so it's not much of a bother. It's only the upper body that's a bother, and hence the chlamys was quite sufficient at keeping warm.
Concerning the classical period, there's some evidence to suggest that Hoplites at least in Athens had some experience with bows and arrows in their obligatory 2 years of military training. Bearing in mind, 'Hoplite' while translating to a 'tool-bearer' was likely connotated to the use of an Aspis shield. To be 'heavy armed' is to be LITERALLY heavy armed, with a heavy shield on your arm, as evidenced by Diodorus Siculus when talking about the Athenian shift from 'Hoplite' to 'Peltast' by contrast of the shield. Archers in Athens, at least are reliably identified with the larger free citizen class of Thetoi. Unlike Hoplites and horsemen who were legally obliged to fight in such a way, Thetoi were not obligated to fight this way, but they were allowed to volunteer, and thus had a choice in how they decided to arm themselves. In an oration by Lysias in 403, he argues against a proposal that would repatriate Athenians to citizenship only if they owned land, specifically arguing that it would deprive many of Athens of it's Hoplites, cavalry and Archers. (Lys. 34.4) (you can view this for free on Perseus Digital Library) Simultaneously, there's some classical period vase paintings that do show some archers in the idealized Greek male nude (indicating they are supposed to be Greek, or at least the primary figure of the painting) wearing and using circular Aspis shields on their arm while wielding a bow. At least one of the figures is wearing greaves while in a crossover stance. Both wear peculiarly Thracian or Oriental caps, but considering the symbolism of their nudity, they aren't themselves 'barbarians'. This would indicate, if we are to accept the theory of Hoplite connotating to a shieldsmen, that some could by definition be 'Hoplite archers' should they be using a shield with a bow. Though they would've still been part of the Archer corp rather than the Hoplite corp based on the characteristic of using a bow.
Great video
Very interesting video I've not seen much on Greek Archery 🏹
Greek Archery is a horrifically misrepresented topic. Most of it comes from misconceptions perpetuated by 1st C BC - AD Roman era writers. The second is trying to characterize its practice as either "eastern" or "western" archery, a concept that mostly emerged in the 19th c. no thanks to Edward Morse. From everything that could be gathered, it resembles neither of these. There's also the 'Scythian Mercenary' myth which refuses to die and is the absolute bane of my existence.
Great work ❤ I want to know how people react if you walk down the streets with that clothing
😂😂
Your Chlamys is looking mighty good. Question: how cold does it get where you live? And how cold are you with your legs exposed?
It was, I believe, 38 degrees fahrenheit in this video. I make a habit of wearing shorts in cold weather, so it's not much of a bother. It's only the upper body that's a bother, and hence the chlamys was quite sufficient at keeping warm.
Did hoplites use bow and arrow?
Concerning the classical period, there's some evidence to suggest that Hoplites at least in Athens had some experience with bows and arrows in their obligatory 2 years of military training. Bearing in mind, 'Hoplite' while translating to a 'tool-bearer' was likely connotated to the use of an Aspis shield. To be 'heavy armed' is to be LITERALLY heavy armed, with a heavy shield on your arm, as evidenced by Diodorus Siculus when talking about the Athenian shift from 'Hoplite' to 'Peltast' by contrast of the shield.
Archers in Athens, at least are reliably identified with the larger free citizen class of Thetoi. Unlike Hoplites and horsemen who were legally obliged to fight in such a way, Thetoi were not obligated to fight this way, but they were allowed to volunteer, and thus had a choice in how they decided to arm themselves. In an oration by Lysias in 403, he argues against a proposal that would repatriate Athenians to citizenship only if they owned land, specifically arguing that it would deprive many of Athens of it's Hoplites, cavalry and Archers. (Lys. 34.4) (you can view this for free on Perseus Digital Library)
Simultaneously, there's some classical period vase paintings that do show some archers in the idealized Greek male nude (indicating they are supposed to be Greek, or at least the primary figure of the painting) wearing and using circular Aspis shields on their arm while wielding a bow. At least one of the figures is wearing greaves while in a crossover stance. Both wear peculiarly Thracian or Oriental caps, but considering the symbolism of their nudity, they aren't themselves 'barbarians'. This would indicate, if we are to accept the theory of Hoplite connotating to a shieldsmen, that some could by definition be 'Hoplite archers' should they be using a shield with a bow. Though they would've still been part of the Archer corp rather than the Hoplite corp based on the characteristic of using a bow.
What bow is that and where did you get it?
Scythian Bow from the horsebows on Quiverstock.com