In Greece, the aristocrats were rising in power c. 700 B.C. at the expense of the kings. After overthrowing the monarchy, an aristocracy was put in place. They controlled the military and provided the infantry that protected the city-states. However, this was an expensive endeavor as it cost to train and hire someone to care for their land while they were gone. So instead, they thought of a better way to increase their military power.

It was called the 'Hoplite Phalanx' for its formation, which was rectangular and 8x8. It was comprised of the top one-third of farmers, which now means ordinary citizens are trained to fight. Standing shield-to-shield, protecting the man on their left, the shields could be turned at an angle and used as a weapon along with their long spears. The strength of the hoplite was that soldiers on the front line, could move to the back once they were exhausted. Each carried 70 pounds of armor, while the average Greek soldier was five feet tall and 120 pounds.

Vase with a depiction of hoplites in battle
Every hoplite abided by 'Greek Rules' during warfare. When two city-states go to war, they each send their hoplites to fight. The purpose was not usually to annihilate the enemy, but to fight until one fled, thus declaring the "winner". After the enemy flees, the victor could take home a trophy, like armor for instance. There were only two places of exposure, the throat and genitals - this was not a particularly lethal form of warfare. Only 40% of the soldiers could actually touch the enemy.

Drawback

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The eye holes of the helmets were small, therefore vision was usually impaired and ear holes are nonexistent at a time before tactical hand signals. If there were any deaths, typically it was friendly fire since the men did not wear a uniform. All soldiers had to purchase their own armor. In order to avoid injuring each other, hoplites had to move in unison and carefully aim their spears over the shoulder of the man in front.

Panic is a word that comes from the Greeks. Pan was a fickle God who would come down to battle and wreak havoc.

Two hoplites. You can imagine how long the spears were and how difficult it was to avoid friendly fire

A Revolution

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With the hoplite, ordinary citizens are now trained at combat, which means they can now revolt against the oppressive aristocrats. The first revolt erupted in Corinth in 650 B.C. Popular leaders were rising in every city-state. They rallied the public and with their help, overthrew the aristocracy. Tyranny took its place, however this would not have been possible if the people did not have the ability to fight back. Yet soon, these tyrants will fail to keep their promises and learn the true power of their people.