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[[Image:Hoplites.jpg|thumb|right]]

[[Image:Hoplites.jpg|thumb|right]]

The '''Hoplites''' were [[Greek]] heavy Infantry during the period around 500-300 BC. They wore full-face helmets probably made of [[bronze]] and wielded a heavy shield of wood covered in bronze. Their preferred weapon was a [[spear]], and a short sword as a backup weapon. In battle they often used the phalanx formation, which was essentially a wall of overlapping shields and spears and they moved as a cohesive unit. The name derives from ''Hoplon'', the name of their [[shield]]s.

The '''Hoplites''' (Greek:ὁπλίτης) were [[Greek]] heavy Infantry during the period around 500-300 BC. They wore full-face helmets probably made of [[bronze]] and wielded a heavy shield of wood covered in bronze. Their preferred weapon was a [[spear]], and a short sword as a backup weapon. In battle they often used the phalanx formation, which was essentially a wall of overlapping shields and spears and they moved as a cohesive unit. The name derives from ''Hoplon'', the name of their [[shield]]s.

Traditionally hoplites were not professional [[soldier]]s, but often men of ordinary professions. They would purchase their own armor, which could lie unused for years, and the quality of the armor would reflect the material wealth of the bearer. They would be summoned to fight in the event of their city going to war. Fighting against other hoplites was often dangerous and their spears would often splinter on bronze shields or breastplates, but against lighter troops it was a different matter, especially against the Persian army which contained no heavy infantry or armor to speak of. In the case of the Battle of Marathon, due to their thick bronze armor the Athenians often crushed the Persian troops to death.

Traditionally hoplites were not professional [[soldier]]s, but often men of ordinary professions. They would purchase their own armor, which could lie unused for years, and the quality of the armor would reflect the material wealth of the bearer. They would be summoned to fight in the event of their city going to war. Fighting against other hoplites was often dangerous and their spears would often splinter on bronze shields or breastplates, but against lighter troops it was a different matter, especially against the Persian army which contained no heavy infantry or armor to speak of. In the case of the Battle of Marathon, due to their thick bronze armor the Athenians often crushed the Persian troops to death.