Hemithorakion () ( hemi-

thorax The thorax (: thoraces or thoraxes) or chest is a part of the anatomy of mammals and other tetrapod animals located between the neck and the abdomen. In insects, crustaceans, and the extinct trilobites, the thorax is one of the three main di ...

) was an ancient Greek half-armour that covered the midriff or abdomen area. The inventor is believed to be the Thessalian ruler

Jason of Pherae Jason of Pherae () was the ruler of Thessaly during the period just before Philip II of Macedon came to power. He had succeeded Lycophron I of Pherae, possibly his father, as tyrant of Pherae and was appointed ''tagus'', or chief magistrate, of ...

. It was an equipment of the officers, not of common soldiers. Plutarch records that hemithorakia were worn by Pelopidas and his soldiers during the battle to expel the Spartans from Thebes in 379, a battle in which Pelopidas and his men disguised themselves as women. In art, it is generally seen on female warriors, which corroborates Plutarch's account. Instances in art include several vase depictions on Amazons. An unusual intact terracotta mold from

Morgantina Morgantina () is an archaeological site in east central Sicily, southern Italy. It is sixty kilometres from the coast of the Ionian Sea, in the province of Enna. The closest modern town is Aidone, two kilometres southwest of the site. The s ...

, dating from the first half of the fourth century, shows Artemis wearing the hemithorakia while sacrificing a hind. Bell, Malcolm. Morgantina Studies vol. 1 (Princeton: Princeton University Press 1981), 35.

References

Ancient Greek military equipment Ancient Macedonian military equipment Military history of ancient Thessaly {{AncientGreece-stub

See also

References