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A hoplite was the main type of ancient Greek
warrior. The word comes from hopla, the Greek word for the gear that
a hoplite used. Here we are talking about the 8th to 4th centuries BC - that
is about 800BC to 300BC. At this time a hoplite usually fought for his
city-state, for example Athens or Sparta. Hoplites fought in a phalanx
- a tight, well-disciplined formation of ranks and files.
In the vase painting to the right you can see
two hoplites fighting. The picture shows you what sort of arms they used
('arms' means weapons and armour). Follow the links on this page to learn
more about a hoplite's weapons, armour, and tactics - the way a hoplite
fought and how the phalanx worked.
Weapons
- spear and sword
Armour - shield,
helmet, cuirass, and greaves
Tactics
- how hoplites fought in the phalanx
YouTube videos of
hoplite re-enactors:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IiZ4Y4CGoTU&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J-etn1QQ-7Q&feature=related
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