Question

What did the Hoplite Reform entail?

A. A shift toward maritime warfare and naval dominance.
B. Introduction of a professional standing army.
C. Emphasis on heavily armored infantry, standardized equipment, and the phalanx formation.
D. Promotion of archery and light infantry tactics.

Answer 1

The Hoplite Reform involved changes in ancient Greek military organization that emphasized heavily armored foot soldiers, uniform equipment, and the formation of a phalanx, which had significant social and political impacts on Greek society.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Hoplite Reform refers to the militaristic changes that emerged in ancient Greece characterized by an emphasis on heavily armored infantry, standardized equipment, and particularly the phalanx formation. The term 'hoplite' denotes a soldier who was a part of the phalanx, which was a dense formation of spearmen who used their shields to protect the combatant to their left. Each hoplite was a free Greek citizen who could afford his own arms and was committed to regular training to maintain the discipline and effectiveness of the phalanx.

Politically, the hoplites were drawn from broader social classes than just the aristocracy. This is significant as they began to demand greater political representation due to their integral role in defending their city-states. The success of the hoplites on the battlefield also led to substantial social and political changes within the Greek world, influencing the development of the political landscape in ancient Greece.