NEWS BOARD
Paul Allen
On the 20th September Paul Allen, who had been a member of the Hoplite
Association since 2003, an active member of numerous other societies,
a 'professional' historical performer for schools, museums and historic
sites and someone who was very well known amongst the cyberspace world
of reenactment discussion groups passed away.
Tragically this was caused by an accident whilst filming for the Channel
4 'Time Team' programme, and was the result of a freak accident whilst
doing a jousting demonstration. The specific details are, perhaps, less
important here than the fact that it was quick, he would not have suffered
and that he was doing the thing he enjoyed most. Living the past.
For those who are not reenactors this might be difficult to understand,
but the relationships you form with people are very similar to those formed
within families. For short, intense periods of time we live and exist
so closely with each other that you could describe every little hair on
someone's arm, and Paul had a few of those...and not just on his arms!
We learn both good points and bad, and those certainly were not exclusive
to Paul, and we argue and make up constantly. Just like families do all
the time. The passing of one of your 'family' always hits you hard.
Everyone will have their own memories and they are unlikely to fade as
the one thing everyone would agree on was that Paul was certainly no wallflower
and would make his points with a certain amount of gusto and his own,
inimitable flair. He also had strong opinions which he would rigorously
defend. We have no doubt that since that terrible day he has been trawling
around heaven looking for veterans of the Greek Persian wars trying to
substantiate his theories.. and that is a thought that makes us smile.
As a born again Christian and devoted husband to an equally devoted Sharon
our hearts go out to her. Nothing can take away the pain, but unlike many
who walk this life he has left behind a footprint that is unlikely to
fade.
ACOUS-ETAY, DORY EPOWMADON, APERK-ETAY, Paul Allen
10 August 2007
September 2007 will see the launch of a new book from Dorling Kindersley
(www.dk.com) called "Soldier: a visual history of the fighting man",
which charts combatants from the 5th Century bce up to the present day
in large, full colour, high quality, detailed photographs of both original
and reproduction equipment. Of particular interest to us is the first
section on the ancient greeks - all the equipment photographed having
been supplied by Hoplite Association members and, in some instances, having
been made by them as well!
This is the sort of book anyone with an interest in military history would
kill for.... well not literally, but you will understand the meaning.
They have made use of reenactors to supply equipment not readily available
from museums, but have drawn on a very wide range of specialists and material
to construct what has to be said is an impressive book.
Despite only being in hardback on launch, the cover price of £25
seems cheap for what you get. So if you have a wide interest in the fighting
'man' through the ages this could be worth checking out. But when you
do, dwell a short while on the first few pages.....
A Hoplite Association First
11.00 on the 30th June, 2007 in the quaint little town of Exeter, a historic
occasion for the Hoplite Association - our first wedding. Mark and Kelly
not only declared their everlasting devotion to each other, but the theme
of the wedding was ancient Greece and they got married in kit... supported
by a number of members who were also suitably attired.
Like all weddings things never went quite to plan, but it was big smiles
all day long and who cares about plans anyway? We didn't really need alcohol
to enhance the spirits, although there was plenty, and the Greco Turkish
feast was superb. The registrars took photographs to show future would
be bride and groom's what is possible, the guests from the next wedding
must have used up half their film taking photos of our wedding and the
wedding 'breakfast' venue is planning a similar photographic display on
their walls.
Fame!
But all of that aside it was Kelly and Mark's day and in the good tradition
of weddings there were tears, there was laughter and there was a lot of
love in the air.
From all in the Association, our most heartfelt wishes for the future
- and please remember we need some new recruits, so please start with
the preliminaries for making 'stuff' happen as soon as possible, because
rumours are that it could be a good few months before they can appear.
May 2007
HA at Tarraco Viva 2007
Paul Allen and Steve Senior visited Tarroca Viva in Tarragona this month,
as representatives of the HA. They were there as guests of the Spanish
Hoplite group "Athenea Promakhos"
Steve reported:
" Firstly we extend our thanks to their group founder & leader
Eduardo Guillen for inviting us and making our stay so enjoyable, and
also we extend out thanks to all members of his group who made us feel
very welcome and part of their display.
This is the ninth year that Tarraco Viva has been staged in the city of
Tarragona, founded by Scipio in the 1st century AD, and seems to be growing
each year. This is the first occasion that the Hoplite Association has
taken part and both Paul and myself did our bit to advance the cause and
reputation of the HA.
The event proper took place during last weekend with us joining Athenea
Promakhos in their living history camp and for the two arena displays,
last one being at 7:00pm (ish). The show itself finished around 9:00pm
each day so we were pretty knackered at the end.
With Paul and myself the group managed an impressive turnout of 25 hoplites
and 5 peltest & psiloi. The arena displays each day began with a general
explaination of the period history, followed by introduction & explaination
of the different troop types and styles of fighting. Then various formations,
phalanx charge at the public and finally an impressive and very realistic
12 hoplite on 12 hoplite phalanx combat with peltest javelins sailing
over our heads.
Altogether a great experience and one that we have been invited to attend
each year. In fact, Eduardo has said that he will give HA members an open
invitation to attend any of the 5 or 6 events his group attend each year
in Spain, including the event at the Greek polis city of Ampurias which
is in two weeks time, but then around the same date each year.
Next year Eduardo is hoping to have a larger plot at Ampurias (hence the
PR efforts put into Tarraco Viva this year) and would like to invited
hoplite groups from around the world in an effort to create an arena display
involving 60 plus hoplites. I have offered the support of the HA and hope
to be accompanied by as many members as possible for this - so this is
your 12 month first warning order!!!!!!!
Anyway, full report and pictures will be posted on the website as soon
as Eduardo sends me the official pictures and movies, but for the time
being heres a quick picture of Paul and myself working hard and enhancing
the international reputation of the HA
Steve
31 March 2007
Paul Allen organised an event for the British Museum in Gosport and
with the support of other HA members helped them launch the Britsih Museum's
"Athletes, Warriors & Heros" travelling roadshow which may
be coming to a local museum near you over the next couple of years.
The day consisted of leading a procession of local community groups who
had all prepared for this event by making themselves costumes, including
chariots, and doing something of a show & tell afterwards. Paul also
presented the British Museum with a full panoply which can be seen worn
by the "octopus" designed aspis hoplite.
The British Museum roadshow was exhibiting numerous artifacts from our
period including some that had not been on public show for more than 100
years, so quite a treat for us to see them. See http://www.hants.org.uk/greeks/
for show details.
28th August 2006
The Hoplites Do It Again!
Once again we have to congratulate the Military Odyssey contingent who
braved both the long journey and the rather incliment weather to meet
the people of Detling and, against very stiff competition from some of
the brilliant reenactment groups there, come home with the trophy for
the 'Best Public Interaction' for the third time in 5 years eventing at
that event.
The members would say that they did nothing special and simply got on
with what they would do at any other event, and that may well be true,
but no-one would deny the warm feeling inside to learn that their efforts
were appreciated.
Our thanks to the public and fellow reenactors alike for the kind words
of support during the weekend and the congratulations passed on to us
as we were preparing to leave for home. Very, very much appreciated.
15 August 2006
New Text on Thermopylae features the Hoplite Association
A new book hit the shops this month, throwing yet further analysis on
the battle of Thermopylae and attempting to provide a wide analysis on
both the battle and surrounding context. What really differentiates this
from other texts on the market though is the nature of some of the illustrations
used to demonstrate the text.
Nestled within the centre pages are a number of pictures taken of Hoplite
Associaton members at the Clivedon event in 2005. Although most are taken
from the crowdline during an arena display and are more 'snaps' than detailed
studies, the author has used them to good effect and has also incorporated
some of the lessons learned from reenacting within the text itself. One
for the bookshelf?
5 August 2006
Oaklea Trust
The Oaklea Trust is a charitable
organisation whose sole purpose is to support and assist children and
adults with disabilities to lead fulfilled lives within their communities.
They work with people of all disabilities and operate in Cumbria, Lancashire,
County Durham, Northumbria and Greater Manchester and once a year they
pull together the staff and clients from each area to compete in a fun
based games activity.... this year, the theme was ancient Greece and the
events were based on an 'it's a knockout' format.
 Now the Hoplite
Association has a couple of links with the Trust. One member is a member
of staff, another is one of their clients and together with a couple of
other members we went along to add a bit of colour to the activities and,
in our own way, help with the 'games'.
A good day was had by all, nobody really seemed to take the competitions
that seriously... apart from us.... and we were well and truly beaten
in anything we got involved in!
16 March 2006
Hoplites infultrate TV advertising!
This month has seen a new TV advertisement aired on UK television for
Tetley Bitter. A parody drawn around the film Gladiator, it features a
roman army trecking across the countryside (and it was filmed in the wilds
of Yorkshire), led by a mounted general in full kit... courtesy of the
left-over film props from the Gladiator film.
He then halts his army, and pops into the local pub! It then becomes
clear that it is a fancy dress night and that he has dressed up for it.
Tetley, we are told, like its drinkers, does not do things by halves.
Now you have to look really closely, tape the ad, have a pause button
on your TV and be able to blow up sections of the Roman army, but patience,
we are told, coupled with very careful searching will result in glimpses
of a HA members - Andy J, Daz, Paul A and Ash braved the (very) cold weather
to be a part of that filming.
19 November 2005
Will 2006 see the largest gathering of citizen Hoplites to take place
since the 4th Century BC?
Be there or you're a Persian!... actually, Persians welcomed too.
3 /4 June, 2006 is the scheduled date for an Ancient Greek Festival,
currently being organised by Paul Allen, a professional re-enactor and
member of a number of re-enactment groups, including the Hoplite Association.
One of the common themes of 'Greek' re-enactment internet discussion
groups is, 'if only'. 'If only … someone were to start a group I
would join...'. 'If only … someone were to arrange an event, I would
go..'.
Well someone has, and excuses are now no more.
Australia has the Sydney Ancients, the USA has the Greek Warriors from
New York and the Spartan Warband are shortly to add re-enacting to their
ASCA activities… and there are many individuals and small groups
of friends around the world starting to equip themselves as ancient Greeks,
their allies and enemies.
Equipment and guidance for the 5th Century BC re-enactment is becoming
easier to find, but when you have your kit, what next?
Well Paul thought, 'If only we could try to get them all together?'..
and then decided to have a go at doing it.
So, if you are an up and coming 'ancient' and would relish the opportunity
of mixing with fellow enthusiasts from around the world and joining together
to form one big phalanx (to date he already has promises of attendance
from Greece, the USA, France and the UK amounting to around 50 people)
then contact Paul at paul_a_allen@hotmail.com
Persians, Thracians, Scythians, Civilians, Psoli… indeed all representations
welcomed…. even academics!
More details are in the attached
link and scheduled events include a race in armour (with the prize
of an Aspis to the winner!) and long jump with weights (graciously supplied
by Manning Imperial and donated as a prize for the winner) together with
both static and arena displays.
Some sponsorship has already been received and additional sponsors are
most welcome as well! Olive Oil manufacturers, Greek Corporations and
Olympic Athletes take heed - a one off opportunity not to be missed???
30th August 2005
Military Odyssey Victory for the Hoplites
The world's largest, multi-period, reenactment event took place at Detling
over the Bank Holiday weekend (27th-29th August 2005) and this is not
only a chance to mix with other reenactors but it is also a wonderful
venue for groups to display and 'show off' their skills
This year was the fourth year the Association attended and it was as
busy as ever, with many visitors from previous years calling to see us.
With only 4 members attending, due to other commitments, it placed quite
a strain on the team, handling all of the enquiries and demonstrating
arms, equipment and aspects of Greek and Scythian life.
To the shock of us all, in the final parade of societies it was announced
that the prize for the group with 'the best public interraction' was...
the Hoplite Association! The second time in the last three years and a
prize made all the more precious by the stream of congratulations from
other reenactors when we were packing up and by the members of the public
who both called past on their way home to applaud us AND email'd their
best wishes to the website.
A brilliant weekend topped-off in the most perfect way. For pictures
of some of our visitors who helped make this possible click
here.
27th July 2005
In the footsteps of Alexander.... or at least in the wake of his DVD!
Together with our good friends at Skirmish
magazine (the only re-enactor magazine in the UK) two members of the Hoplite
Association met at a 'secret location' in the north of England to review
the new DVD release of Alexander for The Times newspaper.
A surreal day, to provide a photo-opportunity there was a request from
the newspaper that we turned up in 'kit', we all spent a lively afternoon
watching and discussing this latest release and the full report will feature
in The Times supplement on Saturday 6th August.
To get the full report see the here,
but suffice it to say we were not terribly impressed. The Irish accents
were not as annoying as a lot of previous reviewers comment, although
some actors clearly struggled to tell the difference between an Irish
and a Scottish accent (we spotted at least one Sean Connery imitation),
but for a story about an acclaimed military strategist whose main activity
was an extended campaign of conquest there was precious little by way
of guidance and explanation about the military activities and one or two
important elements of context (specifically Troy) were overlooked. Oh,
and shouting 'Atten...tion' to a phalanx just doesn't work!
Still, the equipment looks well and the TV advertisements for the 'Director's'
cut seem to show slightly more action and might be worth a look... oh,
hang on, it was the Director's cut we saw. Oh dear!
7th June 2005
In support of the Mill House Animal Sanctuary, a number of Scythian (and
greco-scythian!) members of the Hoplite Association have been assisting
with a planned sponsored walk along Hadrian's Wall, scheduled for late
September 2005 (NOT ON A REENACTMENT WEEKEND).
This organisation also manages the Thurlstone Horse Sanctuary, and they
have a large number of small cobs of the breed originally used as pack
horses by the Romans when building the wall and, like all charities of
this kind, have been finding it difficult to raise funding in today's
economic climate.
The plan is to lead some 'period' horses, duly attired, along a substantial
stretch of the Wall, accompanied by a walking support team in appropriate
romano-british garb. With the assisance of association members and various
'friends' within the reenactment community the event is slowly coming
together and more news will follow.
In the meantime, any offers of assistance, no matter how small, would
be gratefully received.
The Sancuary website will be on line shortly and a link will be added
here for anyone thinking of a donation.
Elaine.
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