Thyreos

{{Short description|Shield used by Hellenistic Armies}} {{Italics title}} [[File:Thueros affresco.jpg|thumb|upright|Fresco of an ancient Macedonian soldier bearing a ''thyreos'' shield. Archeological museum in Istanbul.]] A '''''thyreos''''' or '''''thureos''''' ({{langx|grc|θυρεός}}) was a large oval shield which was commonly used in Hellenistic armies from the 3rd century BC onwards. It was adopted from the Galatians, probably first by the Illyrians, then by the Thracians before becoming common in ancient Greece. Troops who carried it were known as ''thyreophoroi''. It was made of wood covered with leather and had a spined boss. It was carried using a central handgrip. Some variants of the shield were nearly rectangular: the name '''''thyreos''''' derives from the word ''thyra'' (θύρα), "door", reflecting its oblong shape.<ref>{{LSJ|qureo/s|θῠρεός|ref}}</ref>

==See also== * Hellenistic armies * Antigonid Macedonian army

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Ancient Greek military terminology Category:Greek shields