Simply put, this shield is a beast. Ridiculously huge, made from wood, and sometimes coated with bronze, Spartans were able to use the shield as a great defensive weapon, successfully defending against nearly all enemy weapons. However, it's this shield's great weight that makes it a powerful weapon also. Spartans and other Hoplites would thrust with this massive shield, easily knocking down opponents (sometimes knocking them out cold) and lining up a finishing blow. The enemy may not see a simple shield as a threat, but with its thin edges and hard design, it is indeed designed to kill.