Abstract
Hoplites of the 1st millennium B.C. took over many elements of foreign armour, although Greek authors made derogative remarks about it. A fully equipped hoplite had a lance, helmet, wooden round shield with bronze fittings including a forearm holder and a handle, metal cuirass, greaves and sometimes arm and belly protection plates [mitra].
There is also evidence for spear, sword, bow, and sling. In contrast, linen cuirasses [linothorax], slashing knife [makheira/kopis], crescent shield [pelte], and Phrygian helmet came from outside the Greek world: The light-weight, flexible and cool linen cuirass was imported by mercenaries from Egypt in the 7th century.
The Illyrian-Macedonian-Thracian slashing knife was a cuirass breaking slash weapon forming five types from the 7th century B.C. to Roman times. The pelte was of North Aegean-Thracian origin and occurred in a long and a short version since the 6th century B.C..
It was light due to its wickerwork with a fur cover. Archery was innovated by s-shaped composite bows and Scythian and Persian arrowheads.
Phrygian helmets were taken over since the 5th century, B.C. because they were more flexible and allowed the perception of optic and acoustical battle signals.