Hoplite infantrymen were the military ideal ... They fought primarily in a phalanx, a tightly packed shield and spear formation that might be several ranks deep and many soldiers wide.

In battle, hoplites fought as a team. They lined up in ranks and locked their shields together with just their spears pointing over the top. This formation was known as a ‘phalanx’.

In battle, hoplites fought as a team. They lined up in ranks and locked their shields together with just their spears pointing over the top. This formation was known as a ‘phalanx’.