ἀσπίς
ἀσπίς
a round shield, Lat. clipeus, of bullʼs hide, overlaid with metal plates, with a boss (ὀμφαλός) in the middle, and fringed with tassels (θύσανοι): different from the oblong shield (ὅπλον, Lat. scutum) used by the ὁπλῖται.
in Prose, used for a body of soldiers, ὀκτακισχιλίη ἀσπίς , men-at-arms, Hdt.
military phrases: ἐπʼ ἀσπίδας πέντε καὶ εἴκοσι τάξασθαι to be drawn up 25 deep, Thuc.; so, ἐπʼ ἀσπίδων ὀλίγων τετάχθαι Thuc.; ἐπʼ ἀσπίδα, παρʼ ἀσπίδα (opp. to ἐπὶ δόρυ) on the left, towards or to the left, because the shield was on the left arm, Xen.; παρʼ ἀσπ. στῆναι to stand in battle-array, Eur.
an asp, an Egyptian snake, Hdt.