They were heavy-armed infantry. Hoplites wore armor made of bronze and distinctive helmets covering the entire head and neck, with slits for the eyes and mouth. Their legs from the knees to the ankles were protected by shin guards. For fighting they used a wooden spear ending in an iron spearhead and, in addition, a sword made of bronze or iron. For protection, they used a round wooden shield with a double handle, called a hoplon. The soldiers lined up in a tight formation, shoulder to shoulder so that the shield overlapped behind the shield covering the hoplite on the right.
