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 the neck to below the knees of the wearer. It was suspended by a strap (,, 388; , 796, etc.) from the left shoulder, and was managed partly by means of this strap and partly by means of the horizontal stay (, , 193; , 407). Perpendicular to this stay, which ran crosswise from one edge to the other, was a second stay running lengthwise, which gave stability. The shield was covered with layers of oxhide. The center of gravity lay in its lower half, thus greatly facilitating its manipulation. The shield, when not in use, could be drawn behind the back by means



of a thong. The hero with such heavy armor frequently used the war chariot to pass from one place to another on the battlefield.

This great shield we find pictured in the Homeric poems. It was "the man-encircling shield" (,, 389; , 32; , 402; , 281), "the shield reaching to the feet" (, , 646). Hector returning home from the battle carries it upon his back, and its edge strikes his neck and ankles (, 117). A Mycenaean shield of colossal size, like a tower, is