Hoplites

ancient Greek heavily armed infantry. Hoplites were each armed with a spear, a sword, a long shield, a helmet, armor, and greaves. They fought in close line formation in phalanxes (from eight to 25 rows). They were made up of average free landowners who armed themselves at their own expense. After the fourth century, as a result of the ruin of the middle-level free population, the hoplite militia lost its importance and was gradually replaced by mercenaries.