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Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: Szary on February 23, 2021, 04:36:34 PM

Title: Ancient greek footwear
Post by: Szary on February 23, 2021, 04:36:34 PM

I'm currently painting my 10mm Greek Hoplites for Men of Bronze. I'm currently looking for authoritative information about types of footwear - shoes, sandals etc. used in Aegean during the classical age - mostly from the Persian Wars to the invasion of the Persian Empire by Alexander. I am aware that Persians generally wore boots or sandals, and most of the Greeks seem to be depicted barefoot. Is it a correct assessment? Is it just a light troops thing, or was it prevalent overall?

On the other hand, I also found a quote mentioning that Thebans and other Beotians wore shoes, and Thessalians are often depicted as such. What about Macedonian - phalangites, cavalry and hypaspitis?

I don't know if it was "visually invasive" enough to warrant painting shoes on 10mm miniatures, but I know if I determine it a few weeks from now, I will end up redoing much of the work I'm putting in right now - I just can't stand a job done improperly.

I appreciate all your help.

Title: Re: Ancient greek footwear
Post by: Fremitus Borealis on February 23, 2021, 05:04:57 PM

Oh man, I don't think I'd have the gumption to work about that in 10mm  lol

That said,I think what you say here is pretty accurate. I've always wondered about the shoeless depictions myself, as that always struck me as more of a "heroic past"kind of thing. But I guess it stands to reason that at least some guys may have gone shoeless as a comfort thing (crazy as that sounds to us moderns.)

I've also always been cautious about assuming too much standardization in the pre industrial world, so while there would have been a lot of "this is just what shoes look like" monoculture, there'd still be some variation since there was more than one guy in ancient Greece making shoes, right?

Title: Re: Ancient greek footwear
Post by: Ranthony on February 23, 2021, 05:33:24 PM

Might be worth a rea of this, seems they liked high heels too lol

http://historyofsandals.blogspot.com/2010/11/greek-sandals.html?m=1

Title: Re: Ancient greek footwear
Post by: Easy E on February 23, 2021, 08:53:20 PM

My understanding is that there was a wide variety of footwear. 

I think barefoot and sandals were the most common "greek" footwear.  However, some of the more northern groupings probably also used boots of various lengths.

However, I am not expert.   

Title: Re: Ancient greek footwear
Post by: Ethelred the Almost Ready on February 24, 2021, 07:22:12 AM

Most likely they wore Nike. 



Although I probably also agree with Easy E.  :D

Title: Re: Ancient greek footwear
Post by: Easy E on February 24, 2021, 09:09:14 PM

Quote from: Ethelred the Almost Ready on February 24, 2021, 07:22:12 AM

Most likely they wore Nike. 

Unless they go down in ..... "Defeet"?

 lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

Title: Re: Ancient greek footwear
Post by: Fremitus Borealis on February 25, 2021, 12:36:37 AM

Oh my god  lol lol