Soldiers

Archers:
These were considered of a lower rank than spearmen in the Greek army. When archery began to die out, Greek archers became mercenaries, mainly to the Scythians and the Cretans. They wore a long-pointed hat and loose tunic and trousers. A bow case with arrows was attached to their belt.

Auxiliaries:
The phalanx had problems in fighting on hills, mountains, and rough ground. It was no good against cavalry or guerilla tactics. Thus, in such circumstances, other types of soldiers were used. These included light infantry (archers, slingers, and paltasts) and light cavalry.

Elite Units:
Greek armies had a small group of selected soldiers who acted as shock troops. The Thebian army had a group of 300 soldiers. The Spartan had a group of 300 hoplites who were a royal guard.

Helots:
These were Spartan farmers who were used as lightly armed soldiers to assist the hoplites in skirmishes. Each Spartan soldier had a helot to carry his baggage.

Hoplites:
These were a heavily armed Greek infantry employed by city-states. Their equipment included a breastplate, a helmet, greaves, and a shield called a hoplon. A sword and a long spear were carried. These soldiers fought in a phalanx.

Hypaspists:
These Macedonian infantry soldiers were not as heavily armed as the phalangites. They carried a spear and a shield and fought between the phalanx and the cavalry. In later times, hypaspists were assigned for special duties, including bodyguards of the king.

Mercenaries:
These were soldiers who served with a country other than their own. They served as reinforcements, on garrison duty, and as specialist troops, but not in the phalanx.

Peltasts:
These were lightly armed infantry soldiers. Their main weapon was a javelin. They would run in, throw their javelins, and quickly retreat. Later, they used longer javelins and swords and participated as regular troops.

Phalangites:
These were a heavily armed Macedonian infantry that fought in a phalanx. Their equipment included a cuirass, a helmet, greaves, and a round shield. Their weapon was usually a sarissa, a type of spear. Sometimes, a sword and a javelin were carried. Those at the front had the best equipment, while those in the rearwore little or no armour.

Slingers:
These were usually mercenaries and an important part of Greek armies, particularly from the 5th century BCE. They had a greater range than the archers, and were very effective at short distance. They carried a sling and a bag of stones. Some carried small shields and wore wide-brimmed hats. Later, large stones were hurled from slings on long poles.