jan 1, 700 BC - Hoplite Phalanx comes into use with the rise of the polis

Description:

700-650- BC
New style of battle tactic emerges

Hoplon:
Big wooden roundshield with leather and bronze coating, used on the left arm.
Phalanx:
Formation in lines, forming Blocks of warriors protecting each others sides. Usually at least 8 lines deep.

Armor:
- Shield ~15-20 pounds
- Bronze breastplate ~40 pounds
- Bronze helmet ~5 pounds
- Bronze Shinguards

Weapons:
- Doru (Thrusting spear) made out of wood and a bronze or iron tip
- Short sword as backup made for poking not for slashing

- Othismos: Powerful push against the front line from the lines further back to break the enemies formation
-Very restricted view and hearing
- Vulnerability on right flank, groin and neck
- Seeking out flat ground for the formation to work perfectly
- Often marching to fluteplaying to stay in formation.
- Only wealthy citizens of the polis can afford to buy shields and be part of the Hoplite squad. Others would use light armor and use projectile weapons such as Bow & Arrow or spears.

Added to timeline:

Date: