Stat	Value
Category	infantry
Class	spearmen
Morale	4
Hit Points	1
Primary Attack	7
Primary Charge	3
Secondary Attack	5
Secondary Charge	2
Armour	6
Defense Skill	5
Shield	5
Recruitment Cost	440
Upkeep Cost	170

• Hardy
• Sapping Ability
• Can Form Phalanx

The basis of nearly all military power in Greece once revolved around the hoplite. Operating in phalanxes, or tightly grouped blocks, these men are a powerful force against infantry or cavalry.

Hoplite tactics are simple: formations generally approach the opposing army in normal order, and then close ranks into the phalanx so that each soldier is protected by overlapping shields. Then it is simply a matter of closing with the enemy as quickly as possible to decide the battle. Well trained, these troops have great stamina, and are some of the most effective soldiers in the known world.

Hoplites generally supply their own equipment, so are not drawn from the poorer sections of society. They wear a hardened leather cuirass breastplate, and carry both a round shield (the hoplon) and a thrusting spear. This spear has a bronze butt-spike to plant in the ground (bronze is not prone to rusting like iron), which doubles as a weapon if the pike shaft breaks.