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A complete Spartan suit of armor in 20-gauge steel, standing 70 inches on the included wooden stand and built to be worn. Supplied with shield, your choice of xiphos, and every fitting needed to assemble it.
A Greek heavy infantryman was defined by what he carried, and the word for it was panoply ā the full set. Helmet, cuirass, greaves, shield, spear, sword. A man who owned one was a hoplite. A man who did not, was not.
The pieces changed over three centuries. Early hoplites wore the Corinthian helmet, which enclosed the whole face and left the wearer nearly deaf and half-blind; later generations moved to the lighter Chalcidian, and Spartans in the classical period often to the simple conical pilos. Wealthier men wore bronze cuirasses, bell-shaped or sculpted to the muscles of the torso. Most wore the linothorax instead ā layered linen about half a centimetre thick, cheaper than bronze and very nearly as good. Bronze greaves covered the shins.
The aspis ran 80 to 100 centimetres across and weighed 14 to 18 pounds: a wooden core, faced in bronze, lined in leather. What made it work was the Argive grip ā an armband at the centre and a handle at the rim, so the weight sat on the forearm rather than the wrist.
That grip is why the phalanx existed. Held on the left arm, the aspis covered its bearer's left side and his neighbour's right. Every man in the line was partly protected by the man beside him, and the formation only worked if nobody stepped back. It also produced a famous quirk: phalanxes drifted rightward as they advanced, every hoplite edging a little closer to the shield of the man on his right.
The sword was never the main weapon. That was the dory ā a spear between 2.5 and 4.5 metres long, with a leaf-shaped head and a bronze spike on the butt for planting it upright or finishing a downed enemy. The xiphos came out when the spear broke or the line collapsed into a press too tight to use it.
Greek xiphoi generally ran about 60 centimetres in the blade. Spartan ones were markedly shorter ā 30 to 45 centimetres ā which contemporaries found worth remarking on. The story goes that a Spartan asked why his sword was so short replied that it was long enough to reach the enemy.
This set covers armor, shield and sword. The one piece a Greek hoplite would notice missing is the spear ā see our hoplite dory spear or the full spear collection.
Built to be worn, not only looked at. One size fits most adults, and the wooden stand is included so it can be displayed fully assembled between uses. At 70 inches on the stand it reads as a standing figure rather than an ornament, so allow the floor space.
Mild steel will rust if it is left damp. Wipe it down after wear, keep a light film of oil on the metal, and store it somewhere dry ā a garage or cellar will find every unprotected surface. Do not put it away still damp with sweat after an event.
Browse the rest of our armor and shields, or read our guide to the Spartan shield and helmet.
Shipping times refer to carrier transit time after an item ships. They do not include production time, custom work, engraving, etching, or other preparation time before shipment.
In-stock items typically ship within 1 to 4 business days, though this can occasionally take longer during high-volume periods or for items requiring extra handling. Engraving or etching on in-stock items may add 1 to 3 business days before shipment.
Custom, engraved, altered, made-to-order, backordered, and specialty items (including armor and chess sets) may require additional production time before they ship. Fully custom items typically take 4 to 8 weeks, but complex requests may take longer depending on the design, materials, approvals, and production requirements.
Once an item ships, delivery time depends on the shipping method, carrier, and destination. If you need an item by a specific date, contact us before ordering so we can confirm whether the timeline is realistic.
In-stock items with no customizations can be returned free within 30 days, as long as they show no signs of use. Returns are handled through our return center.
Items that have any customization (such as engraving or etching) or that show signs of use cannot be returned. Custom and made-to-order items are produced specifically for your order and are not eligible for return.
If your item arrives damaged, incorrect, or defective, contact us with your order number and photos so we can review the issue.
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