The introduction of the hoplite system is ascribed to Pheidon, tyrant of Argos 680 BC-650 BC, who used it to smash Sparta’s army in 669 BC. This created a shock wave that had spread the new system across the Greek-speaking world. The lists cover the hoplite armies of Greek city states until the end of the Persian wars. The system depended on the combination of the “hoplon” (a large strong round wooden shield with bronze rim and sometimes a bronze facing or blazon) or “aspis” (“Argive shield”) with a long thrusting spear “doru”, bronze body-armour (initially a bronze bell corslet, but from 500 BC a bronze muscled cuirass “thorax) and usually a “Corinthian” helmet that badly restricted both sight and hearing. This combination limited tactical options to moving straight ahead in unison, initially at a run that made the first contact exceptionally violent, then in a shield-pushing scrum. Only Spartans practised drill and discipline to the point where they could occasionally manoeuvre effectively during a battle. Spartans were also unique in wearing a uniform rather than dressing to individual taste. Their tunics and large old-fashioned “himation/tribon” cloaks (probably not worn in battle) were dyed crimson and the army’s appearance is described as a mass of crimson and highly polished bronze. Their hair was uncut and if veterans often grey. Their highly-polished bronze shields, like those of other cities, were painted with personal blazons, the red lambda not replacing these until around 420 BC. Most states could also field a limited number of “psiloi” (unarmoured men who skirmished with javelins, bows or slings), and mountain states had access to larger numbers of tough skirmishing hillmen with javelins and often later a small shield “pelta”. Only Thebes and Thessaly also provided a limited number of shieldless horsemen. The Greek city states fought incessantly among themselves throughout this period. References: The Western Way of War V.D Hanson, A Storm of Spears - Understanding the Greek Hoplite in Action C. Matthew, The Wars of the Ancient Greeks V.D Hanson, The Spartan Way N. Fields, Persian Fire T. Holland, The Defence of Greece J.F Lazenby, The Rise of the Greeks M. Grant, Greece and Rome at War P. Connolly, The Histories Herodotos, Slingshot 96, 97, 98, 100, 101, 102, Killer of Men & Marathon C. Cameron (novels).
— Argive Hoplite Army 669 BC - 449 BC
I/30 — DARK-AGE & GEOMETRIC GREEK 1160 BC - 650 BC
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
— Spartan Hoplite Army 668 BC - 449 BC
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
I/60 — EARLY ACHAEMENID PERSIAN 550 BC - 420 BC
I/7 — EARLY LIBYAN 3000 BC - 70 AD
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
— Thessalian Hoplite Army 668 BC - 449 BC
I/47 — ILLYRIAN 700 BC - 10 AD
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
I/54 — EARLY MACEDONIAN 650 BC - 355 BC
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
— Theban Hoplite Army 668 BC - 449 BC
I/47 — ILLYRIAN 700 BC - 10 AD
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
— Early Athenian Hoplite Army 668 BC - 541 BC
I/48 — THRACIAN 700 BC - 46 AD
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
— Later Athenian Hoplite Army 540 BC - 449 BC
I/48 — THRACIAN 700 BC - 46 AD
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
I/53 — SAITIC EGYPTIAN 664 BC - 335 BC
I/60 — EARLY ACHAEMENID PERSIAN 550 BC - 420 BC
— Asiatic Greek Hoplite Army 668 BC - 449 BC
I/35 — CYPRIOT & PHOENICIAN 1000 BC - 332 BC
I/48 — THRACIAN 700 BC - 46 AD
I/50 — LYDIAN 687 BC - 540 BC
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
I/60 — EARLY ACHAEMENID PERSIAN 550 BC - 420 BC
I/62 — LYKIAN 546 BC - 300 BC
— Aitolian or Akarnanian Army 668 BC - 449 BC
I/47 — ILLYRIAN 700 BC - 10 AD
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
I/60 — EARLY ACHAEMENID PERSIAN 550 BC - 420 BC
— Italiot or Siciliot Hoplite Army 668 BC - 449 BC
I/36 — ITALIAN HILL TRIBES 1000 BC - 124 BC
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC
I/55 — LATIN, EARLY ROMAN, EARLY ETRUSCAN & UMBRIAN 650 BC - 290 BC
I/57 — ETRUSCAN LEAGUE 600 BC - 280 BC
I/61 — EARLY CARTHAGINIAN 550 BC - 275 BC
I/36 — ITALIAN HILL TRIBES 1000 BC - 124 BC
— Any Other Hoplite Army 669 BC - 449 BC
I/52 — EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 669 BC - 449 BC