lambda shield
Hoplites were foot soldiers of ancient Greece, the name being derived from 'hoplon' meaning 'a tool of war', but most commonly used to refer to the shield.
Hoplites chose their own shield patterns, which could be symbolic of the area they came fro, or to gods they worshipped.
The Greek letter 'lambda' was a symbol of Lacedaemonia, or Sparta, and was named after Lakedaimon, the son of Zeus. Shields with this symbol were probably issued by the State, to its troops.
lambda shield
Hoplites were foot soldiers of ancient Greece, the name being derived from 'hoplon' meaning 'a tool of war', but most commonly used to refer to the shield.
Hoplites chose their own shield patterns, which could be symbolic of the area they came fro, or to gods they worshipped.
The Greek letter 'lambda' was a symbol of Lacedaemonia, or Sparta, and was named after Lakedaimon, the son of Zeus. Shields with this symbol were probably issued by the State, to its troops.