Hoplite warfare

Greek city-states often fained their rivals to the point of war.
Increasing trade and colonization made metal more readily avaible and affordable for the land owning class.

Hoplite = armies of citizen infantrymen

the developmend of improved defensive armor in the late 8th century BC made Hoplite warfare possible.

• Armor= torso fitting bronze body armor with accompanying helmet and shin guards
• Attacking= spear held in the right hand. large round shield grips from the left fore arm and hand.
• Deployment= Phalanx formation

Phalanx formation= lines of men standing close together each brandishing his shield so to give some protection to his comerade at his left. the utter most right did not have this extra protection--> Hence the tendency of the entire line to shift towards the right.