Two greaves
Bronze. Archaic period (ca. 700—480 BCE).Height (lenght): 50.5 and 52 cm. Inv. No. Б. 542.Saint Petersburg, State Hermitage Museum
Two greaves.
Bronze. Archaic period (ca. 700—480 BCE).
Height (lenght): 50.5 and 52 cm.
Height (lenght): 50.5 and 52 cm.
Inv. No. Б. 542.
Saint Petersburg, State Hermitage Museum
(Санкт-Петербург, Государственный Эрмитаж).
Origin:
Unknown; from the Campana collection, acquired in 1862.
Description:
Greaves served to protect the warrior’s legs. They were part of the equipment of the hoplitodromos when this event was introduced into the Olympic Games. Later, the participants ceased to wear them.
The greaves are hammered to fit the contours of the body. The musculature of the calves is well marked and the fibula is indicated by a vertical line in relief. The greaves widen out towards the knee and are slightly curved at calf level; the lower end is narrower and ends with a protruding part.
N. Gulaeva, D. Vanhove
Literature:
Unpublished, mentioned by Stéphani, no. 367 p. 33. E. Guédéonow no. 11, 12 p. 41. E. Kunze, Olympische Forschungen XXI — Beinschienen (Berlin, 1991).
Credits:
© 1993. Photo, text: Olympism in antiquity. Olympic Museum Lausanne. Bertelsmann UFA. Industria Gráfica S. A. Barcelona, 1993, p. 111 cat. no. 54.
© Photo — M. Verhasselt (Brussels-Dilbeek).
© 1993 — Comité International Olympique.
© Photo — M. Verhasselt (Brussels-Dilbeek).
© 1993 — Comité International Olympique.
