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Adam Godfrey
Ancient Warfare Expert
Adam Godfrey is an ancient warfare expert based in Canada. With over 5 years of practical, hands-on experience, Adam is an author, hoplite reenactor, and the host of the YouTube channel Leonidas Sparta which focuses on hoplite warfare. He shares his passion for ancient Greek history and features guest appearances from top experts in the historical field. His channel boasts over 54k followers, and his goal is to unite the practical and scholarly approaches to historical study.
Professional Achievements
- Wrote for Ancient Warfare Magazine, including the article "The Archaic Hoplite up Close: a Man of Bronze"
- Aided upcoming film and media projects as a Historical Advisor
Certifications & Organizations
- Member of the educational, non-profit organization "The Greek Phalanx"
Favorite Piece of Advice
One of the most common mistakes people make when studying history is assuming the past was simpler and more straightforward than it really was. Whether it’s armour and warfare or society and culture, history is rarely a straight line of progress... the reality is usually far more complex, and far more interesting, than the popular version.
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Q&A Comments (5)
How thick was ancient Greek armor?
Ancient Greek armor is usually on the thinner side. Helmets from the period could sometimes be under 1 millimeter thick, while breastplates or cuirasses were often around 1 to 1.2 millimeters thick, with the back sometimes made even thinner to reduce weight and improve mobility.
Was ancient Greek armor mass-produced?
It wasn’t mass-produced because it was designed to fit each soldier closely. Breastplates and other pieces were often tailored to the wearer’s body so the weight sat comfortably around the waist and center of mass instead of hanging heavily from the shoulders. That close fit made the armor more practical, ergonomic, and comfortable to wear during combat or work.
What are the most important weapons from Ancient Greece?
The most important weapon would almost objectively be the spear, the Dory. Typically, this is around a 7 to 9-foot spear that's double-ended in the classical period. It has an iron spearhead and a bronze butt end, often called a Saurter, which means lizard sticker. And these things are counterweighted. They're often tapered, so they get thinner towards the end, and the bronze butt spike can also act as a counterweight. This is the quintessential hoplite weapon, the weapon used by the heavy infantry of the Ancient Greeks. Secondary to that, you would also see sidearms. There are two main swords that we see used in the period. One is called a Kopis, which is a forwardly curved cutting sword, similar to a Kukri. And then you have the Xiphos, which is a stabbing sword, with a slightly smaller leaf blade profile. You also see javelins, slings, and even bows, though not super common for the Ancient Greeks.
