A hoplite was a heavily armed foot soldier in ancient Greece, particularly during the 7th to 4th centuries BCE. These soldiers were known for their distinctive armor, which included a bronze helmet, breastplate, and greaves, as well as a large round shield called a hoplon. Hoplites typically fought in a formation known as the phalanx, where they stood shoulder to shoulder, creating a wall of shields and spears. Hoplites were primarily citizen-soldiers, meaning they were not professional warriors but rather ordinary citizens who took up arms to defend their city-state. This system of citizen-soldiers contributed to the rise of democracy in Athens and other city-states, as it allowed more people to participate in military and political life.