Heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece whose function was
to fight in close formation. They probably first appeared in the
late 8th century BC. They were equipped with new and heavier
armour, including a metal helmet, breastplate, and shield; each
had a sword and a 6-ft (2-m) spear for thrusting rather than
throwing. From then on, battles were won not by individual
champions but through the weight of massed hoplite phalanxes
breaking through enemy ranks. Though the phalanx was unwieldy
and the equipment cumbersome, Greek hoplites were the best
fighters in the Mediterranean world.