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Thread: Royal Pikemen; Long Pikes?

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  1. #1
    Dux Nova Scotia Member lars573's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Pikemen; Long Pikes?

    That's true (i didn't know what Hypaspists meant) but I have read a description of their war gear. And it stated categorically that Hypaspists were equipped in a similar fashion as hoplites. With the 9 foot xyston and swords and would use either as the situation required.
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  2. #2
    Magister Vitae Senior Member Kraxis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Pikemen; Long Pikes?

    Actually Hypaspist means 'Shield bearer'. Aspis means shield and hyp well you can guess it. It is the same with Argyraspist, which means Silver Shield. Argyr = silver and Aspis = shield.
    While I can't remember if there is any direct reference to Hypaspists being armed like hoplites they were indeed very capable in melee with swords taking walls and fortresses, often the first in. In this fashion a larger shield like that of the hoplites would be preferable compared to the smaller Illyrian shield the phalangites carried. Also the name itself also lends a bit to the belief that they carried large shields as why would they be called shield bearers if their shield wasn't significant?

    So it is the name Royal Pikemen that is wrong...
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