Final answer:
The key difference between Homeric style warfare and hoplite warfare is individual heroism versus phalanx formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between Homeric style warfare and the warfare of Greek hoplites can best be described as a shift from individual heroism to a more structured and cooperative form of combat known as the phalanx formation. In the Homeric era, warfare placed great emphasis on the valor and prowess of individual warriors, closely aligning with the ethos conveyed in the Homeric poems that celebrated strength of arms and skill at words.
In contrast, the hoplite phalanx, a notable military innovation of the Greeks, was a tactical formation that required a high degree of discipline and coordination among its citizen-soldier participants. The hoplites were equipped by themselves, each responsible for his own weapons and armor, unlike the often conscripted and less personally motivated soldiers of opposing forces, such as the Persians.
The phalanx was a dense formation of spearmen, where each hoplite used his shield to protect the man to his left, demanding regular training and drilling for effective maneuver. This method of combat was not only militarily efficient but also had significant political implications, as the hoplites were not always from the aristocracy, yet they demanded better political representation due to their crucial role in defending their poleis.
The strength and motivation of the hoplite soldiers, evident in their battles against the Persian forces, stemmed from their status as free citizens fighting for their polis, which contrasted sharply with the unwillingly recruited peasant conscripts that comprised the bulk of the Persian infantry.