Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Shield-bearer 1 Samuel 17:41
Date: 02 Jul 2004 19:42 GMT
The mention in I Sam. 17:41 of a shield-bearer is, I suppose, not
characteristic for the later-day hoplite tactics. The term hoplite may
however come indeed from the haPleti (the Pleti).
It is rather the description of a more archaic fight tactic using a
tower-shield (Turm-Schild), wherefore two warriors were needed, one of them
being the shield-bearer.
Don´t forget, that this part of David´s story draws upon an older Vorlage,
the resemblance to Sinuhe´s pertaining to the MB age being particularly
strong.