Loyal to Artemis.

This came to me more easily then my sword ([link]). I really doubt that I'll rework this piece in any way. Of-course I shouldn't say that, I've said it too many times on my sword so why jinx it.

It's supposed to be an Aspis Hoplite shield. These things tend to be incorrectly named Hoplons, when Hoplon referred to the over all kit, that made the Hoplite's armor.



You can plainly see that the shield depicts a pack of wolfs howling that the moon. The reason I used such a design is that of much studying, and personal theories.

In some ancient Greek belief systems the moon usually represents the goddess Artemis. In the wild a pack of wolfs use a set social order and group tactics to bring down a deer.

That wolfs howl at the moon is quite interesting to me, because wolfs are quite successful hunters. Their howling (when looked at having a human quality to it) can look very much like praying. Maybe to a certain goddess for good hunting?

This now sounds very familiar of everyone's (Except me.) favorite soldiers, the Similars, the Peers. Excuse me, you'd know them as the Spartans. Artemis was everything to them. Of their two kings, the one that went to war always carried his shield with the Episema of the moon, and Artemis. (It looked like a red and white dinner mint.) Most interesting of all, instead of saying something along the lines of 'fight had', the general in charge would say something like; 'happy hunting.'

My point: Spartans are hunters, Wolfs are soldiers.


EDIT: I added a text around the bowl of the face:

Στη μέση των κυανών ουρανών. Μια σύνδεση από το παρελθόν στο μέλλον. Τα φτερά προστασίας του προστάτη.

Amidst azure skies. A link from past to future. The sheltering wings of the protector.