Hoplite

The hoplite was the ancient Greek soldier. Highly trained, he was the key component of the Greek city-states’ armies. These city-States, such as Sparta, Athens, Argos, Corinth, and others, organized their infantry around the hoplite. Only citizens could become the backbone components of their armies.

Heavily armed, this foot soldier fought in close formation alongside his comrades in a military pattern called phalanx as they carried overlapping shields and very long spears (3-m in length). Aside from the spear, which was his main weapon, the hoplite carried a short sword hanging from a leather belt; it was used to fight at close quarter in a stabbing fashion.

By the 5th century BC, the ancient Greek soldier’s protective weapons consisted of the aspis, which was a big round shield, a breastplate, a bronze helmet, a pair of greaves, which were shin protectors. Although there were several types of Greek helmets, the most famous one was the Corinthian, which protected both the nose and the sides of face. In total, the protective gear could weigh up to 28 kg. Thus, they had to be fit and strong to endure long marches and vicious fight.

The most feared hoplites were those from Sparta. However, they were not professional soldiers (mercenaries) but citizens who fought to defend their city-State and their families. They usually trained without clothing, but they wore a woolen skirt in battle, with leather straps. Their courage and fitness were put to the test during the Greco-Persian Wars.

In battle, the hoplites fought in a dense formation (phalanx) several rows deep, with the left-hand side of each soldier shield covering the right-hand side of his comrade next to him. The spears held by the soldiers further back would go over the shoulders of the soldiers marching in the front line. When the opposite armies got engaged in fighting, the battle would turn into ferocious pushing contest. When the enemy formation broke apart, the hoplites pulled out their sword and started stabbing forwards as they advanced.

Below, Corinthian hoplites in formation painted on the sides of a 5th century BC vase.

Below, a Spartan soldier, also from the side of an ancient vase.