Shield Hoplites carried a large concave shield called an (sometimes incorrectly referred to as a ), measuring between in diameter and weighing between . This large shield was made possible partly by its shape, which allowed it to be supported on the shoulder. The shield was assembled in three layers: the center layer was made of thick wood, the outside layer facing the enemy was made of bronze, and leather comprised the inside of the shield. The revolutionary part of the shield was the grip. Known as an Argive grip, it placed the handle at the edge of the shield, and was supported by a leather fastening (for the forearm) at the centre. These two points of contact eliminated the possibility of the shield swaying to the side after being struck, and as a result soldiers rarely lost their shields. This allowed the hoplite soldier more mobility with the shield, as well as the ability to capitalize on its offensive capabilities and better support the phalanx. The large shields, designed for pushing ahead, were the most essential equipment for the hoplites.
shield HoPlites CArRiED a laRge coNcave shiElD cAlLed aN (Sometimes incorreCtly rEFErred To as a ), MEasuring betWeeN IN dIAmeteR aNd weiGhIng betweeN . THiS largE shield waS mADe PossiblE partly by its Shape, WHiCh AlloWed it To bE sUppoRted On thE shoULder. thE shIeLD Was asseMbLed in threE lAyErs: The cEnTer layEr was made OF THiCK woOd, the OUtsiDE LAyer FaciNg The eneMy Was made Of bronzE, aND lEATHer COMpriSed THE InSIde of The shieLd. The rEvolutIonAry pARt Of The shiELd Was the GriP. KnoWn aS AN argiVe gRip, it plaCeD thE HandLe aT thE edgE Of THe sHield, aNd was sUPporTed bY a leather fasteNiNg (for the foREaRm) aT the ceNTRE. theSE tWo poIntS Of cOnTAct elImInAted The PoSsibiliTy OF the sHIeld swayIng to tHe sIde aFter beinG strUcK, and aS a resUlT SolDieRs RarelY losT ThEir shiEldS. thIS alLowed THE hopliTE solDier more MObility With The shield, as weLL As the abilITy to CApitalIzE On itS offEnsivE CApAbiLiTies and BettER support the phalaNx. thE lARge shiELdS, deSIgned for puShIng aheaD, WerE the MosT esseNtial equIPmeNt for THE hoplITes.