Large Corinthian Bronze Armor on a Plexi-Glass Base

Greek made replica of a Corinthian armor on a plexi-glass base, was a warrior’s garment made mainly of metal and leather; and usually included a helmet, a chest protector, a kneecap, a shield, a sword and a spear. Ancient Greeks linked the armors to the battlefields and the heroic glory; that their absence meant even the lack of bravery (Homer, Iliad). The characteristic Corinthian helmet emerged during the Archaic period, around the 7th century BC, and became one of the most recognizable symbols of the ancient Greek warrior. A hoplite’s panoply typically consisted of a bronze helmet, a protective cuirass, greaves to protect the legs, a large round shield, a sword, and a spear. Together, these elements provided protection while allowing the warrior to fight effectively in the close-order formation known as the phalanx. For the ancient Greeks, armor was far more than practical protection. It was closely associated with military duty, honor, courage, and heroic achievement. The shield, in particular, carried deep symbolic significance, as a warrior was expected to defend himself and, above all, the men fighting beside him. The importance of armor and weapons is reflected throughout ancient Greek literature. In Homer’s Iliad, armor is repeatedly associated with the identity, status, courage, and heroic glory of the warrior.