hoplite
Ancient Spartan warrior
A hoplite was a heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece, typically a citizen who could afford his own armor and weapons.
Hoplites fought in tight formations called phalanxes, where overlapping shields created a wall of protection while spears projected forward.
The term comes from *hoplon*, the large round shield that was their signature equipment.
The hoplites held the pass against overwhelming numbers.
Ancient Greek warrior state
- AthensGreece's capital city
- phalanxMassed infantry formation
- agoraGreek civic square
- polisGreek sovereign urban center
classical · Hellenic · Persian Wars · Marathon · Thermopylae · Salamis · Peloponnesian · Herodotus
Torso-protecting plate armor
- greavesFried fat residue
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
- panoplyComplete, impressive collection
- breastplateMetal torso protection
Creation or arrangement
- rank-and-fileOrdinary organization members
- cohesionTendency to bind together
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- frontlineCombat's forward position
advance · push · melee · file · rank · depth · collision · massed
Sparta
Ancient Greek warrior state
polis · classical · Hellenic · Persian Wars · Marathon · Thermopylae · Salamis · Peloponnesian · Herodotus · Thucydides
cuirass
Torso-protecting plate armor
breastplate · spear · sword · crest · plume · baldric · scabbard
formation
Creation or arrangement
- rank-and-fileOrdinary organization members
- cohesionTendency to bind together
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
frontline · advance · push · melee · file · rank · depth · collision · massed · shoulder-to-shoulder
battle
Armed military engagement
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- chargeCost or accusation
rout · skirmish · pitched battle · valor · heroism · valor · duel · champion · trophy · spoils
landowner
One possessing real estate
- militiaNon-professional armed force
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- serviceAid or maintenance
demos · franchise · political · rights · assembly · voting · property · qualification · duty · honor
- GreeceAcropolis, Parthenon, Athens, Greek, Hellenic
- ancient occupationssoldier, merchant, farmer, shepherd, carpenter
- combatantssoldier, warrior, fighter, swordsman, spearman
- Epic WarfareIliad, Trojan War, Achilles, Hector, battle
- military rolessoldier, warrior, Praetorian Guard, sailor, Imperial Guard
- soldiersinfantryman, private, grenadier, grenadiers, fusilier
hoplitearcher
One who shoots arrows
cavalry · horseman · skirmisher · slinger · light infantry
hoplitecavalry
Mounted military force
skirmisher · mounted soldier · guerrilla · raider · scout