The word hoplite (Greek: ὁπλίτης ) is the name for the type of shield the warriors used.
A purported group of fighting women are the legendary Amazons, Spartans recorded in Classical Greek mythology. Similarly, the Valkyrie are depicted in Norse mythology. During the Viking Age female warriors were called skjaldmær, or Shieldmaiden.
The shield maiden Lagertha from the Vikings T.V series inspired this ongoing saga – because it really did happen! White blonde Scandinavian eyes and blonde hair did not exist anywhere else on the planet during the Viking raids in the 700s. I can only imagine it must have given one pause. The same with the Greek Hoplite and Spartan women warriors – most likely causing their would be attackers a shocked demise.
Valerie Anne Kelly 