Greek Mercenary Hoplite

This is the Greek Mercenary Hoplite that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 8s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 8.

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars, and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is based on illustration 8 in AMPW.

The 's' catalogue designation refers to the then new style 25mm size models as opposed to the earlier and smaller 1/72nd range. The 's' standing for 'special'. 

The base of this example is stamped PB 8s on the upper surface in the usual Minifigs style, suggesting it comes from an early production run. Most are stamped PB 8.

The spear carried by this chap is an especially chunky affair, this was replaced by a version with a much thinner and more attractive spear of the same length. 

Although based on the illustration in AMPW this isn't a very accurate representation of a typical Hoplite of the period, most of whom would have worn a linothorax even into the third century. 

The Hoplite's shield is also a poor attempt, lacking the rim which distinguished this kind of shield, and which was accurately represented in Minifigs earlier Ancients 'S' range. The shield is also divided by the mould plane in a rather uncomfortable fashion, distorting the shape somewhat. 

A much as I love old Minifigs, I have to admit that the contemporary Hinchliffe and Garrison examples make a much more attractive phalanx.