Final answer:
In the early Greek military, a heavily armed foot soldier was called a hoplite, which required him to be a free citizen providing his own equipment and training for the phalanx. The hoplites also had a significant political impact because of their demands for greater representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early Greek military system, a heavily armed foot soldier was known as a hoplite. These soldiers formed the backbone of ancient Greek military forces and played a crucial role in the phalanx formation.
A hoplite was a free Greek citizen from his polis (city-state), responsible for providing his own weapons and armor, and required regular training to effectively maneuver in the dense phalanx formations.
Hoplites were significant not just in military terms but also politically. They were the citizen-soldiers who, through their service in the phalanx, exerted pressure for greater political representation, leading to shifts in Greek politics.
Their military engagement in battles against forces such as the Persian army demonstrated their effectiveness, with their disciplined and self-financed structures standing in contrast to the conscripted infantry from the Persian forces.