History of Hoplite

	Revision 15 . . October 4, 2001 1:45 pm by Sjc [OK, just removing the ambiguity once and for all..]
	Revision 14 . . October 4, 2001 1:41 pm by Josh Grosse [...but thank you. :)]

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Changed: 5c5

Hoplites generally armed themselves right before battle, since the equipment was so heavy. Each man provided his own gear so it was fairly non-uniform, and often friendly troops would fail to recognise one another. A hoplite typically had a breastplate, a bronze helmet with cheekplates, as well greaves and other armor, plus a large bowl-shaped wooden shield called the hoplon that protected the left side of the body. The primary weapon was a spear, around 9 feet long; as this frequently broke upon charging, hoplites also carried a smaller 2-foot thrusting sword. By contrast, earlier infantry tended to be equipped with full body shields and pikes, and skirmishers to be lightly armed with throwing rather than thrusting spears.

Hoplites generally armed themselves immediately before battle, since the equipment was so heavy. Each man provided his own gear so it was fairly non-uniform, and often friendly troops would fail to recognise one another. A hoplite typically had a breastplate, a bronze helmet with cheekplates, as well greaves and other armor, plus a large bowl-shaped wooden shield called the hoplon that protected the left side of the body. The primary weapon was a spear, around 9 feet long; as this frequently broke upon charging, hoplites also carried a smaller 2-foot thrusting sword. By contrast, earlier infantry tended to be equipped with full body shields and pikes, and skirmishers to be lightly armed with throwing rather than thrusting spears.