borne by Telamonian Ajax (φέρων σάκος ἠύτε πύργον, Η, 219; Λ, 485; Ρ, 128).
Besides the long shield, there may have been a semi-cylindrical shield, as seen in fig. 42.
The use of the small round shield required the wearing of a breastplate, but with the large shield heavy armor would have been unnecessary.
The Homeric greaves (κνημῖδες) were gaiters of cloth or leather, worn around the leg in order to prevent
Fig. 42.Gold Ring from Shaft-Grave IV at Mycenae
the chafing of the shin against the great shield. They were provided with metal guards, specimens of which have been found in the Mycenaean graves. The greaves which Hephaestus made for Achilles were constructed of tin.
The Mycenaean helmet (fig. 43) was of leather, overlaid with metal. It contained no visor, but was ornamented with a tuft of horsehair (λόφος), horn-like projections (φάλοι), and with knobs of metal (φάλαρα). Often the leather helmet was adorned with rows of boars' teeth, as in the case of Meriones (Κ, 263). A collection of such teeth has been found in the fourth grave at Mycenae.
The offensive weapons of Mycenaean times were of
