The Shield of Achilles
This is a 3D representation of the shield of Achilles as described by Homer in the Iliad. Every element of the design has been based on extensive research into bronze age Greek art.
I modeled the shield in 3Ds Max. For the texture, I first hand painted several high resolution alpha maps in Photoshop, one for each material which has been used to decorate the shield (bronze, tin, gold, silver, enamel). I then created some PBR materials in Substance Designer, and applied them using Substance Painter. The rendering was done in Marmoset 4.
The shield with all metal layers enabled.
The texture maps used.
The shield with only the inlaid design layers displayed.
"Therein he wrought the earth, the sky and the sea, and the unwearied sun and the full moon, and therein all the constellations wherewith heaven is crowned. The Pleiades, the Hyades, the might of Orion, and the Bear..."
"Therein he fashioned also two mortal cities of mortal men. In one there were marriages and feastings. By the light of torches they were leading wives from their bowers through the city. Loud rose the bridal song, and young men were whirling in dance."
"But the folk were gathered in the assembly, for strife had arisen, between two men about the blood price of a man slain. Heralds kept back the folk as the elders were sitting, holding their staves, and in their midst were placed two gold talents."
"But around the other city lay two hosts of warriors... The wall of the city were the women and children guarding as they stood thereon... but the rest were faring forth, led by Ares and Athena, both fashioned in gold... clear to view amid the rest."
"The others... mounted forthwith behind their high-stepping horses, and set out thitherward."
"They sat their battle in array and fought... and were smiting one another with bronze spears. Amid them Eris and Kydoimos joined the fray, and deadly Ker, and the raiment she had about her shoulders was red with blood."
"Therein he set also a vineyard... The vintagers went and came, and maidens and youths in childish glee were bearing the sweet fruit in baskets..."
"And therein he wrought a herd of horned kine, fashioned in gold and tin... But two dread lions were holding a bull... while after them pursued the dogs."
"Therein also Hephaestus wrought a dancing floor, like that which in Knossos Daedalus fashioned of old for Ariadne."
"Therein he set the great might of the river Oceanos, around the uttermost rim of the shield."
Video depicting the designs of the shield, accompanied by Homer's complete description.
A wide range of bronze age Greek artifacts were used as references. Mycenaean inlaying, and Mycenaean/Minoan metalworking and engraving inspired the overall look of the shield.
Frescoes and painted pottery were also used as references, mainly to depict the poses of the figures as a bronze age artist would have imagined them.