the hoplite phalanx was weakest when facing an enemy fielding lighter and more flexible troops without its own such supporting troops. an example of this would be the battle of lechaeum, where an athenian contingent led by iphicrates routed an entire spartan mora (a unit of anywhere from 500 to 900 hoplites). the athenian force had a considerable proportion of light missile troops armed with javelins and bows that wore down the spartans with repeated attacks, causing disarray in the spartan ranks and an eventual rout when they spotted athenian heavy infantry reinforcements trying to flank them by boat.