The challenge for the general was to maintain cohesion (and the shield wall) while still gaining enough momentum for the initial crash. This formed the wall of shields that was so crucial to the phalanx's effectiveness, but there was a definite trend for each army to drift noticeably to its right.Īs the lines neared each other, both sides broke into a run. The large shields on the left side of each soldier provided an incentive for everyone to snuggle up against the man on his right. The first four ranks of men marched with spears level, while the rear ranks kept their spears mostly vertical, where they provided an effective defense against missile weapons. The Spartan army was an exception it saw the paen as needless bravado and was known for its slow, methodical pace, set by musician-boys who marched behind the line. Prior to combat, the paen or battle hymn was sung, then the phalanx advanced upon its foe at a trot. Greek generals typically had short careers. The commanding general-the strategos-took position in the front rank, at the extreme right-the most exposed position in the entire army. Hoplites were organized in the phalanx as row upon row of men, typically about eight ranks deep, and stretching abreast for a quarter mile or more. The title of hoplite was thus one of some minor prestige, and carried with it some additional political rights. The hoplite's short sword was typically considered to be a sort of weapon of last resort.Įach hoplite was responsible for the purchase and upkeep of his own armor, and so membership in the hoplite phalanx was restricted to those who could afford the expense. The butt-spike was useful as a secondary weapon for dispatching trampled-upon foes, or as a primary weapon after the spear shattered, as it usually did, upon impact. There is some doubt as to whether it was held underhand or above the shoulder.

Eight feet long, it was capped with an iron spearhead on one end, and a bronze butt-spike on the other. The phalanx is recognized by its bristle of spears, and the spear was indeed the principal offensive weapon of the hoplite. In particular, the helmet (always the soldier's least favorite bit of equipment, then as now) was frequently tilted far back on his head when the soldier was not in combat. The rest of the armor was made of thick bronze plate, and was so heavy that the soldiers would not don their armor until the moments before the charge began.

The shield was large enough to protect the right side of the man to each soldier's left, and so formed a wall behind which the hoplite was protected. It was a large concave piece of wood, rested on the left shoulder, and stretching down to the soldier's knees. The hoplite's shield was his defining piece of equipment, even lending its name, hoplon, to the soldier himself. All this on a soldier who himself probably weighed no more than 150 pounds.

The hoplite's armor-the panoply-consisted of a shield, helmet, breastplate, greaves (plate armor worn around the lower leg), sword, spear, and tunic, and weighed about seventy pounds. Made up of middle-class men who had day jobs, the phalanx was made to decide a war in a single bloody struggle. The hoplite phalanx was the perfect manifestation of classical Greek society on the battlefield. Men wear their helmets and their breastplates for their own needs, but they carry shields for the men of the entire line.

Hoplite shield world history definition