bronze statue of Leonidas of Sparta

Leonidas (ΛΕΩΝΙΔΑΣ), -“son of the lion”- is one of the most compelling figures in ancient Greek history. As King of Sparta, he led a small Greek force of around 7,000, including 300 elite Spartan hoplites at the Battle of Thermopylae against the Xerxes with his vast Persian army which way outnumbered the Greek force.This was in the summer of 480BCE.

When Xerxes sent envoys to the Greeks, requesting they hand over their weapons and surrender, Leonidas said those famous words "Come and take!" ( "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ") (aside: there's a lovely virgin olive oil by this name!) After stalling the Persian army for 3 days, the Greeks were betrayed, and the Persians outflanked them. Leonidas ordered the majority of the Greek army to retreat to safety, keeping his 300 Spartans and some other Boeotians. They resisted the Persians for as long as they could, but were soon defeated and killed. Including Leonidas.

The Battle of Thermopylae is celebrated as an example of heroic persistence against seemingly impossible odds. Soon after the battle, the Greeks built a stone lion in honour of those who had died, and specifically for Leonidas.

The 3-meter-tall bronze statue of Leonidas dominates the small square in front of the local football stadium in modern Sparta. It was unveiled in 1969 by sculptor Vasos Falireas. It has the words 'ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ' inscribed on the base. He is depicted in hoplite armour with a Corinthian helmet. (aside: the same sculptor unveiled in Thermopylae his other statue of Leonidas in 1955. That statue is a naked figure.)

The ancient aspis or hoplon was the lynchpin of the Classical Greek land-based hoplite phalanx of tighly-packed interlocking ranks of infantry. Each hoplite soldier would hold his massive shield in front of him - 1m or so in diameter, made of wood and covered with bronze - to protect not only himself, but the chap next to him as well. This extraordinary powerful military formation was considered a symbol of cohesion and tactical discipline that defined ancient Greek warfare.

Towards the end of the 6th C BCE, the new hoplite phenomenon resulted in a class of Athenian citizens who were not only a formidable military force, but who realised that they also held considerable political leverage. The resulting upheaval led to the evolution of Athenian Democracy in the last decade of that century. 10 years later, at the Battle of Marathon, it was these hoplites who put the new shield-wall phalanx into practice, to defeat the Persian army.

At Marathon in 490BC, however, you have seen no uniform design on the shields, as there was no standardisation or 'state identity' as yet. Instead, the battlefield was awash with a colourful chaos of shields, variously painted with family crests, mythical beasts, and loud geometric patterns!

Medusa was one of the most popular choices. Her hideous, glaring face with snaky locks was intended to 'freeze' and 'petrify' opponents with terror! Pegasus appeared on shields from Corinth, and the club of Herakles on shields from Thebes. Lower budget options included geometric motifs such as the Greek key meandros.

The Spartan LAMBDA (Λ), the most famous shield emblem in ancient history, is an interesting one. Leonidas - with the 300 - is often represented as carrying the hoplon emblazoned with the (painted) LAMBDA, but the massive wall of uniform LAMBDA shields didn't even exist in 480BCE at the Battle of Thermopylae! It was introduced during the Peloponnesian War (431-404BCE) between Sparta and Athens, when the Spartan government replaced the hitherto 'individual' choice of artwork in favour of a single letter representing the State.

The owl of Athena was used by the Athenians, especially towards the end of the 5thC BCE during the bitter conflict with Sparta.

Hephaistos would be amazed by the craftsmanship and quality of this wonderful collection!

These superb bronze pieces are cast in Greece using the traditional lost wax method. As nothing is mass-produced, there will inevitably be slight variations in texture, patina, and colour. No two pieces are ever the same. If mounted, the base is of black marble.

Please note that there may be a variation of some millimetres in the dimensions of the base from time to time, and that accessories such as spears, tridents or javelins may vary in length or height! If you need precise dimensions and weight, email me!

If you need a piece to fit a very specific space, or if you want me to take a photo of a couple of pieces so you can pick the one you want, I will do so with pleasure.

Every piece is deliciously tactile.

It's All Greek is so grateful and so proud to have been working closely with the Semitekolo family foundry since 1999. It has been a privilege and a joy to handle, live with, to photograph and describe these gorgeous pieces, before passing them on to passionate and grateful customers all over the world.

If you already own one of these pieces, cherish it!