the hoplite phalanx of the archaic and classical periods in greece (c. 800–350 bc) was the formation in which the hoplites would line up in ranks in close order. the hoplites would lock their shields together, and the first few ranks of soldiers would project their spears out over the first rank of shields. the phalanx therefore presented a shield wall and a mass of spear points to the enemy, making frontal assaults against it very difficult. it also allowed a higher proportion of the soldiers to be actively engaged in combat at a given time (rather than just those in the front rank).