The oldest form of the shield was a protection device designed to block attacks by hand weapons, such as swords, axes and maces, or ranged weapons like sling-stones and arrows. Shields have varied greatly in construction over time and place. Sometimes shields were made of metal, but wood or animal hide construction was much more common; wicker and even turtle shells have been used.
Today this shield is called a hoplon which is a general name in Greek for weapon. The hoplon was the most common shield in the Greek army. It was made of wood covered by bronze. Inside was covered with leather. The weight of the shield was around 8 kg. The shield was often decorated with a Gorgon head.
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http://deadliestwarrior.wikia.com/wiki/Aspis
http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/war/Armor2.htm
http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/WarTech.htm