

Corinthian aryballos depicting a hoplite phalanx
The appearance of the hoplite phalanx, i.e. the organized infantry of each city-state, was one of the most important developments of the Archaic period. The new formation brought changes in war tactics and the equipment of warriors, and also affected social organization. To man their armies, city-states had to conscribe young males from all social classes, including the lower ones. In return, they had to give them political rights. Gradually the notion of hoplite became linked to that of citizen. This development shook the aristocratic basis of Greek societies and led to more representative systems of government.
The hoplite phalanx is a quite frequently shown in Corinthian vases of the 6th c. BC, such as this aryballos. We see hoplites with helmets, spears and shields, in dense formation. The shields create an almost impenetrable wall. Such scenes symbolized the military power of the city and the sense of solidarity that characterized the hoplite phalanx.
Unpublished