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A214 - Hoplite of Thespiae

ref. EK Castings Zinnfigur - A214 - Hoplite of Thespiae

A214 - Hoplite of Thespiae, Vc BC
Thespiae and Thebes were the only Boeotian cities to send a contingent to fight at Thermopylae, Thespiae sending a force of 700 hoplites who remained to fight beside the Spartans on the final day of the battle.
Thespiae - ancient Greek city in the south of Boeotia, founded by the Athenians, and named in honor of the Athenian king FESPAM.
Supporting Athens, Thespians actively fought against the hegemony of the capital of Boeotia - Thebes. During the Greco-Persian Wars (. 500-449 BC) FESPAM residents refused to teach the Persian Ambassador subordination characters - land and water. Fespiyskih hundred hoplites, led by warlord Demophilus of Constantinople took part in the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC), to join the king of the Spartans Leonidas. All of them died heroically. For participation in this battle Thespiae were destroyed by the Persians, and the inhabitants moved to the Peloponnese. Soon the city was rebuilt and 1800 fespiyskih soldiers took part in the Battle of Plataea (479 BC), which was applied to a crushing defeat of the Persian army.
In 1997, the Greek government dedicated a monument to the Thespians who fell alongside that of the Spartans.
Hoplite of the elite squad dressed in a tunic and cloak mantle of black, which probably symbolizes a willingness to die in the last battle. Carapace-linothorax also painted black and effort on the right side of the metal scales. Large oval shield with semi-circular cut-outs on the sides decorated with FESPAM symbol - a white crescent on a black background. The shield of this form is called Boeotian, as portrayed on the coins Boeotia region minted 5 century BC The helmet of the Corinthian type decorated with high crest of black horsehair. Greaves and a helmet made of bronze and covered with tin or silver. Sword-KOPIS has a massive, curved forward blade, designed for powerful chop.