Latest Articles by jrhilde

The Most Recognizable Greek Helmets

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

If you are looking to be a Greek soldier for an adult Halloween costume party, or are in to SCA combat or reenactments, or just need a costume for a play or movie production, then you the Greek helmet is one of the most important parts of the whole set. This article discusses the different types of Greek helmets and which ones might the best choice for you. While brick and mortar stores don't carry a whole lot of replica helmets, there are many specialty online retail stores that do.

What do you think of when someone says "Ancient Greek Helmet"? The first thing that pops into your head is a picture of a Spartan soldier, complete with a red cape, round, bronze shield, long spear, and a bronze or brass helmet with the ever-so popular plume. Many of today's top online armor and weapons retailers sell this type of helmet, as it is used profusely in reenactments and in collections. Commonly names as the Italic Corinthian helmet or just plainly a Spartan helmet, this replica will be a great addition to your collection. What you'll most likely see are three types of helmets: a brass helmet with tan or red plume, a black helmet with a tan plume, or a silver (plain metal) helmet with a tan plume.

The Greek city states which included Sparta had a very unique culture. This included recognizable soldiers. Their armor, weapons, and helmets are still admired and sought after by collectors, reenactors, stage plays, and historical enthusiasts. Discussed below are some of the most popular helmet types that are most widely available today in online retail stores.

Another popular Ancient Greek Helmet is the Hoplite helmet. The Hoplite soldier was one of the most recognizable in and around the Greek City States and surrounding area. They were a formidable type of soldier. They were excellent for repelling cavalry and charges by soldiers. However, being not very maneuverable, they were vulnerable to attacks in the rear. A Hoplite's helmet usually had a golden or white plume made out of authentic horse hair. Often times it was made into a braided pony tail at the end of the plume.

The main thing to remember when looking at Greek helmets is that many of them look very similar. This is most likely a good thing when you are doing your historical research or are looking for a helmet to purchase. your helmet will look similar enough to the others that the general populace will not know the difference.

All in all, finding the classic Greek helmet is a matter of research and visiting many web stores and history sites. Many of the helms you'll find are about the same design, so you'll get the general idea as to what the different types of Greek helmets are. Of course, some of the best ways to research Greek history is reading articles and news snippets on major websites and in encyclopedias. After that you may try visiting web stores to find the most historically accurate Greek Helmet.

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John Hilde is a historical armor and weapons enthusiast who enjoys collecting these items. He owns an online store called Armor Venue that sells armor and weapons replicas. To learn more about Greek war helmets, go to http://www.armorvenue.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Getting Advice from Asbestos Attorneys in Baltimore

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

An asbestos attorney is a legal professional who concentrates on cases involving victims of asbestos poisoning. These are largely low-paid workers employed in places such as shipyards, mines and construction sites where they are exposed to asbestos dust and fiber. Most workers do not realize the harm caused by asbestos poisoning till they are diagnosed for diseases like lung scarring or even cancer. It is at this point that the asbestos attorney comes to their aid.

The asbestos attorney examines their medical history and diagnosis. He also studies the work history of the victims to understand how they could have been affected by asbestos poisoning. If the asbestos attorney is not very experienced, he may refer the victims to the asbestos class action attorney Baltimore. As many of our country's early industrial buildings were built on the East Coast, there was also a lot of asbestos used with that construction. Therefore, there are many lawyers and law firms that have attorneys that specialize in asbestos cases. You should be able to find one fairly easily with a little research.

For any asbestos class action attorney Baltimore, considering the quality of his opposition is vital. Companies that are faced with class action suits will spare no cost and appoint expert attorneys to defend them. This is understandable as losing the case has considerable financial implications. Compensation awards can run into millions of dollars and it is not unknown for courts to also penalize companies.

Finally, the asbestos class action attorney Baltimore has to keep in mind the quality of opposition. Most corporations field a battery of experienced lawyers when it comes to a class lawsuit. They realize that a defeat may cause a huge financial outgo. The compensation amount itself may run into millions of dollars. There may even be penalties to boot.

This is why the asbestos attorney has to be very thorough and meticulous before filing a class lawsuit. He has to work hard to get evidence that conclusively establishes the commonality of the complaint. They have to prove that the medical sickness you are experiencing is in fact due to direct or indirect exposure to the asbestos building material. Though almost all of asbestos has been removed, and it is banned from buildings today, medical conditions can show up many years after exposure.

As they tend to take up cases of working class people, a asbestos class action attorney charge only contingency fees. This means their clients don't pay any fees in advance. The asbestos attorney gets paid only when the compensation is awarded - usually a percentage of the total amount.

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Our staff writes articles about asbestos poisoning, attorneys, and removal methods so you can learn more about this deadly building material. To learn more about finding an asbestos class action attorney in Baltimore, please visit http://asbestosattorneyguide.blogspot.com/.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Get a Asbestos Class Action Attorney in Baltimore

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

An asbestos attorney takes up cases of those affected by asbestos poisoning. The victims of asbestos poisoning are mostly blue collar workers who have inhaled asbestos dust and asbestos fiber at their workplaces. A bulk of these workers - employed in shipyards and mining and construction sites -- do not realize the hazards of asbestos and learn of its potential to harm only after they have been diagnosed for lung cancer or scarring. This is when the asbestos attorney comes into the picture.

The asbestos attorney examines their medical history and diagnosis. He also studies the work history of the victims to understand how they could have been affected by asbestos poisoning. If the asbestos attorney is not very experienced, he may refer the victims to the asbestos class action attorney Baltimore. As many of our country's early industrial buildings were built on the East Coast, there was also a lot of asbestos used with that construction. Therefore, there are many lawyers and law firms that have attorneys that specialize in asbestos cases. You should be able to find one fairly easily with a little research.

It is important that the asbestos class action attorney Baltimore carefully evaluates his opposition. Most companies faced with class action suits will field entire teams of high-profile attorneys. And with good reason. A loss could mean a huge financial outgo as compensation in such cases tends to run into millions of dollars. The court may also decide to separately penalize the companies.

Finally, the asbestos class action attorney Baltimore has to keep in mind the quality of opposition. Most corporations field a battery of experienced lawyers when it comes to a class lawsuit. They realize that a defeat may cause a huge financial outgo. The compensation amount itself may run into millions of dollars. There may even be penalties to boot.

This is why the asbestos attorney has to be very thorough and meticulous before filing a class lawsuit. He has to work hard to get evidence that conclusively establishes the commonality of the complaint. They have to prove that the medical sickness you are experiencing is in fact due to direct or indirect exposure to the asbestos building material. Though almost all of asbestos has been removed, and it is banned from buildings today, medical conditions can show up many years after exposure.

Interestingly, a majority of asbestos class action attorney in Baltimore charge contingency fees. This means that the clients don't have to pay any fees at the time of hiring an asbestos attorney. It is only when the compensation amount is announced that the asbestos attorney gets his share. This is usually a percentage of the compensation amount that has been fixed in advance.

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Our staff writes articles about asbestos poisoning, attorneys, and removal methods so you can learn more about this deadly building material. To learn more about finding an asbestos class action attorney in Baltimore, please visit http://asbestosattorneyguide.blogspot.com/.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Roman Army through the Early Period

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Rome's history is vast and glorious in military terms. From the 3rd century b.c. into the 3 century a.d. the military machine of the Roman legions was almost unstoppable (yes, they had their bad defeats but overall they had successful campaigns). This article takes a look at the early Roman period in the 3rd and 2nd century b.c.

The Roman army had three major unit types on the battle field with two missile troops and one main type of cavalry unit. The three foot soldiers were the Hastati, Principes, and Triarii. The Hastati were the youngest group and least experienced in the army. Their armor was not quite as good as the other two soldier types. The Hastati were the first line of attack or defense in any army. If they wavered, were destroyed, or else were routed, the second line of defense would take over - the Principes. The Principes boasted better armor and weapons, and were considered a heavy troop type. They were more seasoned veterans of the army and were often older in age. They served as support troops for the Hastati and often joined the battle when it was just getting hot. If the first two lines of soldiers failed, the third lined of defense, the Triarii, took on the battle. An old Roman saying was "It came to the Triarii…" meaning it came to the bitter end, and the battle would be decided very shortly. The Triarii bore heavy spears and armor, and they were the oldest and most seasoned soldiers of the Roman army. They would either make or break the battle if it came to them.

The two missle troops types were the Velites and Archers. The Velites were a skirmishing soldier and they threw javelins at the enemy before the real battle took place. They would then retreat between the lines of soldiers when the enemy got too close. The archers bore regular bows and fired arrows as support to the main army. The only main cavalry unit that the early Roman army had were the Equites. While they didn't wear soldier Roman armor, the lack of it made them very quick on the battle field. They were used to run down routing troops or used as quick attacks from behind.

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John Hilde is a historical weapons and armor collector and owns his own online store selling authentic armor and weapons. Please visit http://www.armorvenue.com to learn more.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Buying a Full Suit of Armor or Piece by Piece

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Shopping around for a medieval suit of armor can be difficult, as there are many models to choose from. You may also be grappling with whether to purchase an entire set or to buy individual pieces one at a time. This article will discuss the advantages of both.

Buy armor piece by piece has its advantages. First of all, you can customize the armor the way you want it to look. Mixing and matching the helmets, breastplates, and gauntlets can be fun. However, if you're not careful, you'll mix armors together that don't match. Yes, there is an art to matching a set of armor. It will also usually be less expensive to buy it piece by piece. Normally in other retail goods this is not the case, but you'll typically save 20-40% by purchasing individual pieces at a time. However, if you are in a hurry and don't have time to shop around, it can be frustrating to find what you need, as most retailers won't have everything that you want in a one stop shop.

First, if you are buying a suit of armor for display to put in your home or office, then you'll definitely want to purchase an entire set together. Display suits of armor are made to be just that - on display. This means they will be uniform and have designs and etchings on them that you normally won't find in individual pieces. Depending on what type of armor you get, buying a full set of armor usually is a bit more expensive than buying it piece by piece. This is mainly because you get the solid display stand and manufacturers charge retailers a premium on complete sets. Lastly, getting a full suit of armor is much easier than buying different pieces of armor, such as separate breast plates, gauntlets, leggings, helmets, and more. Buying a set ensures that you are getting armor that matches and will look good.

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John Hilde is a historical weapons and armor collector and owns his own online store selling authentic armor and weapons. Please visit http://www.armorvenue.com to learn more.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Visiting Modern Day Thessaloniki

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

If you are taking a trip to Greece, then probably the second most visited city would be Thessaloniki. A city of great historical significance, the modern day city is a bustling location full of historical sites and modern day conveniences.

It's a good idea to stay in a hotel near downtown or the Aristotle Square. This is the main area of the city and there are many sites to see in a relatively short distance. Aristotle Square is a big concrete park for pedestrians only. At the northern end of the square there are ancient ruins for you to walk through and explore, including a Roman Amphitheatre. Going down the south side of the square you'll come to a wide pedestrian only street with many shops, restaurants, and nicer hotels. Here you'll also find American establishments such as Starbucks and McDonalds, which may ruin the Greek mood.

Continuing down the street you'll come to the Aegean Sea or the Gulf of Thessaloniki. This is a very peaceful and beautiful walk. It's a great place to take a jog in the morning or take a romantic walk with your spouse. At night, this place comes to life as there are many cafes and coffee shops along the sea. There are many 20-30 year olds that go out every night and it's a great place to hang out to meet new people or just get the experience.There are also some great specialty shops in Thessaloniki as well. You'll see many shoe shops and women's clothing stores. While some of the prices may be a little high (especially with the Euro to dollar exchange rate), you'll still find some good deals. They'll also be tourist shops with everything to Greek armor and Greek helmets to statues of famous persons in Greece history. It will take a day or more just to walk around Aristotle Square and the sea walkway.

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John Hilde is a historical weapons and armor collector and owns his own online store selling authentic armor and weapons. Please visit http://www.armorvenue.com to learn more.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

What Type of Medieval Helmet Should you Buy?

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

There are many medieval helmets out there in today's online stores. Replica helmets range from Crusader Knight helmet to German Maximillian helmets. Which one is right for you? Well, this article will discuss the classic style helmets that reenactors and collectors buy. You should get a better understanding on what's available for you to purchase.

As mentioned before, the two most popular medieval helmets are probable the Crusader and Sugar Loaf helmets. These were very popular during the early medieval ages and especially during the crusades. They are both very wearable and the designs are great for SCA combat and reenactments. Another popular helmet is the European Close Helmet. This type of helmet you are likely to see on a suit of armor and with a full body armor set. It is completely closes and protects your entire head from front to back. This was most likely worn in the early medieval ages when heavy plate armor was what knights wore. The Medieval Pig Face helmet is a unique helmet that was worn usually with a Churberg armor set. It is named "Pig Face" because it comes to a point like a snout on the front of the helmet, making it look pig-like. This helmet is also fully closes and provides ample protection in reenactments. However, the eye site may not be as good as the Crusader or Sugar loaf.

Another helmet that is widely used in costumes and combat is the Norman Nasal helm. It only protects the top of the head, and a single metal nasal protector comes down the center of the front. This was a popular helmet worn by the Normans and other Norse cultures. Lastly, other types of medieval helmets that SCA combatants wear is leather helmets. These are light and great for moving around in. They are usually only available in the Crusader helmet and Roman trooper helmet.

Playing as the Greeks in Rome Total War

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By its name, you would think that playing as the Romans is the only thing you can do in this one of a kind PC game, Rome: Total War. However, there are many other factions you can play as too. This includes the Germans, Gauls, Britons, Macedonians, and the Greeks. This article will discuss how the Greek faction plays out and what's the best strategy to win.

You start out with maybe three or four cities to play with, which includes the famous Sparta. Starting out will be a little bit faster than other factions, because you will on control a very lucrative trade route around the Mediterranean making you leaps and bounds of dinarii. Your first objective should be to take over at least two to three close by cities, preferably on the ocean as these will be more lucrative. Once you do that, fortify your cities with the proper Greek soldiers and armies and focus on getting trade agreements with other cultures. This won't last long before the ever so powerful Brutii faction of the Romans come and try to take over your cities. By this time you should have a good finance base and be able to create many units of Spartans, Greek soldiers, and specialized cavalry. When the Romans come focus on repelling instead of righting back and gaining ground. You can do that on the eastern front.

Playing as the Greeks is also fun because of the troop types you get to control. They have a whole bunch of spear foot soldiers that are very effective against cavalry and foot soldiers alike. Their armor and breast plates is minimal. Their have greaves, a nice round white or gold shield, a long spear, and quality Greek helmets. You can zoom down right on the battle field to see in detail the various parts of their armor and battle attire. It's very fun to see them mow down enemy soldiers with their impenetrable wall of spears.

Medieval Suits of Armor in Video Games

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Whether you like it or not, you can learn much from historically based video games such as Civilization IV or Medieval Total War. These games are great for getting a general education in historical events, cultures, and building types and ancient warriors. If you are looking to buy a suit of armor, then you may want to read this article to learn about how these games can help you do some preliminary research on your suit of armor.

Medieval II: Total War (which we will call MTWII for the rest of the article) is a great place to look at some historical armor. It is the latest game from the Creative Assembly so the graphics are top notch and you are able to see with pretty good detail what soldiers wore back in the medieval ages. For example, playing as the French faction in the game, you'll eventually get a whole host of knights are your disposal. Knights are the primary example where most of the suits of armors in castles and in today's homes are found. Why? Because they were often the most heavily armored to serve as shock troops and to bust through hard lined defenses. Once you get so far in the game, you can see about 5 different types of armor that the knights wore. They include a Gothic style armor and a Milanese type of armor. They also have the standard crusader and sugar loaf type of armor. The surprising thing is that if you look around shopping for these, you'll see similar designs in today's retail stores.

You can also get a good look at suits of armor by playing role-playing games. Why? These are from a third person perspective and you'll be able to see with great detail the armor that soldiers wore. Just pause the game and take a look at a suit of armor a character is wearing. You'll casually learn what designs seem to be popular in the medieval ages.

The Different Kinds of Replica Roman Armor

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

If you've been shopping around for Roman armor, or Lorica Segementata, they you've probably notices that there are many kinds to choose from. You might be thinking, "Why? I thought the Roman soldiers only wore one kind of armor." That is true for the most part, but it's hard to say exactly what they wore. The slight difference in designs is due to uncertainly of the exact design of the armors. Most of today's replicas are based off of Corbridge type B Lorica that was found in an archeological expedition. They put together the remnants and designs have been based off that. I'm sure there are other sources as well, but that is a main one.

There are also at least four or five different manufacturers of Roman Lorica Segmentata as well. There are a couple that stand out above the rest. First, Windlass Steelcrafts makes a good quality armor. You've probably seen it around at retailers, as many people carry it. It goes for $350, which is a standard price for something like that. It was made specifically for the reenactor in mind. There's another manufacturer in India that makes a premium brassed line lorica as well as a standard Corbridge type B Lorica. These are both very well made and extremely popular among collectors and costume getters. They retail for $449 and $349 respectively, so they are around the normal prices. You'll find only a couple retailers selling the Premium Lorica, as it is a hard to find item.

Another major manufacturer is Deepeeka. They make great Roman helmet as well as Roman armor. What's unique about them is that they also make their Lorica in stainless steel, so your roman armor will never rust. That's a plus if you're keeping it mainly for display. However, for reenacting or stage plays, you'll probably want something else as stainless steel is a little more shinier than usual.