- published: 21 Mar 2014
- views: 29546
Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Their main tactic was the phalanx formation. The hoplites were primarily free citizens—propertied farmers and artisans—who were able to afford the bronze armor suit and weapons (estimated at a third to a half of its able-bodied adult male population). Hoplites generally received basic military training.
In the 8th or 7th century BC Greek armies adopted a military innovation known as the phalanx formation. This tactic proved successful in defeating the Persians when employed by the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC during the First Greco-Persian War. The Persian archers and light troops who fought in the Battle of Marathon failed, in part, because their bows were too weak for their arrows to penetrate the Greek shields and armor, and their own armor and shields could not stand up to the longer spears and swords of the Greeks. The phalanx was also successfully employed by the Greeks at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC and at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC during the Second Greco-Persian War.
Smilin' faces on city streets, crowded shoppers, busy feet
And every smile just seems to say, we're having some Happy Holidays
Twinklin' lights on Christmas trees, kids up on Santa's kneww
Busy lines on telephones, sending a Merry Christmas home
Bells ringing everywhere, season spirit in the air
Up and down the avenue, holiday dreams comin' true
A choir singing songs of cheer, carols we all love to hear
Rudolph with his glowin' nose, lovers under mistletoe
Postman bringin' Christmas cards, reindeer out in the yard
Frosty with his eyes of coal, present wrapped in pretty bows
Sidewalks full of happy eyes, flakes fallin' from the sky
Boys and girls at the big parade to see St. Nick up on his sleigh
The scene is set, it's beautiful, sounds of Peace, Joy and Love