Armoured hoplites are an elite among Greek soldiery, carefully selected and given the best training to make them superior spearmen. Equipped with good body armour, greaves, a helmet and a large round shield(the Hoplon) thats why they are named hoplites. Armed with a formidable thrusting spear called the xyston and a sword. Employed as group to from a wall of spears protecting each other with there shields: the phalanx.