The Greek hoplite, the archetypal spear-armed warrior, is perhaps the
most prevalent figure in our view of the 'Golden Age' of Ancient Greek
civilisation. It was during this period that the state began to take greater
responsibility for military organisation, and the arming and equipping of its
citizens. From the victory at Marathon over Darius of Persia, through bitter
inter-state warfare, to the rise of Philip of Macedonia and his son Alexander
the Great, the hoplite soldier was in the front-line. This title narrates the
life and experiences of the common Greek warrior, how he was recruited, trained
and fought, and also looks in detail at how his weapons, armour, shields and
helmets developed in the course of time.
Contents
Introduction * Chronology * Arms and Armour * The citizen
soldier * Organisation · Training * Motivation * Mobilising for war * The army
on the march * The Hoplite Battle * Preparation * Deployment * The Advance * The
Charge * Hand-to-hand * Pursuit * Aftermath * Bibliography * The Plates *
Index
