noun
- Plural of haplite; soldiers in ancient Greece armed with a single spear and shield, typically from the middle class.
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to the specific Greek military class
Examples
- The haplites formed the backbone of the Greek phalanx during the Classical period.
- Unlike cavalry or light infantry, haplites relied on disciplined formation and heavy armor.
- Ancient texts describe how haplites trained extensively with their spears and shields.
- The rise of haplites marked a shift toward citizen-soldier armies in ancient Greece.