Hoplites

Hoplites, or heavy infantryman were generally citizen-soldiers, with each man providing his own equipment and serving when necessary in defense of his city. Hoplites fought in a phalanx, a dense line of spearmen six or more ranks deep. Each was armed with the large round shield (which we now incorrectly call the hoplon), a spear, and a sword, and typically wore a helmet, body armor, and greaves. There are normally associated with Sparta and Thermopylae