Hoplite infantrymen were the military ideal ... to overcome the close combat favored by Greek armies. During the 5th century BC, swords became increasing shorter as tactics changed in favor ...

Without Spartan participation in the war against Persia at the beginning of the fifth century ... on this sixth-century B.C. vase as archers. They fought alongside the hoplites as elite mercenaries.

The guided missiles of their day, triremes were the key to Athens' greatness in the 5th century BC ... would be up to 30 hoplites infantrymen. Once the trireme had engaged with the enemy ship ...