Spartan men aged between 20 and 60 would then be called up, starting with the most experienced. Each year the ephors, or magistrates, chose the 300 best hoplites in Sparta to become the hippeis ...

Hoplite infantrymen were the military ideal ... though in time they adopted tactics to overcome the close combat favored by Greek armies. During the 5th century BC, swords became increasing ...

However, Sparta's dominance was not to last. Overextended and unable to adjust to new battle techniques, in 371 BC Spartan hoplites suffered their first major defeat in 200 years at the hands of ...

How did the Hoplite fight? A thoughtful introduction by Richard A. Gabriel pointing out the numerous problems of doing ancient military history opens A Storm of Spears. The book is based on Matthew’s ...

A hoplite had to pay for his armour himself ... but it was the phalanx that won many famous battles. Spartan soldiers wore red cloaks, so bloodstains wouldn't show up. They also grew their ...

A hoplite had to pay for his armour himself ... but it was the phalanx that won many famous battles. Spartan soldiers wore red cloaks, so bloodstains wouldn't show up. They also grew their ...