/ˈæspɨs/; Ancient Greek: ἀσπίς

A large and round bronze [[shield]] used by the ancient [[hoplite]] Greek warriors. 

Its large size was due to the fact that it was designed to protect the user from the neck to the lower leg.  It was also intended to protect both the soldier and the comrade beside him (to the left) in a [[Phalanx]] battle formation. As such, they were always used in the left hand in those occasions. 

h4. See also

* [[300 (movie)|]]
* [[Leonidas I]]
* [[Xiphos (sword)|]]
aspis