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Why are Ancient Greeks fighting
probable the most uncomfortable of all the armor. It also blocked part of the wearer’s vision. The helmet was not fitted to the head, so it could easily move in all directions, further impairing the hoplite’s vision. There was also no padding in the inside of the helmet, so a direct blow could still kill a man. Some helmets, however, had crests on the top of them, which protected them somewhat from falling spears and blows to the top of the head.
The breastplate was also made of bronze, and connected the front and back at the shoulders. It weighed approximately thirty-five pounds, accounting for half of the weight that the hoplite wore. Just above the hip, the breastplate curved outward, which allowed for movement of the hips. The breastplate had to fit on its wearer exactly, because if it were too loose it put stress on the shoulders and if it were too tight it restricted movement. Regardless, there was a lack of ventilation with the breastplate, which caused serious perspiration and therefore many men collapse because they became dehydrated. The breastplate also gathered a lot of precipitation, which ironically caused the hoplite to become cold and sick.
The spear was used to thrust rather than to throw at the enemy. This indicates that the hoplites chose to attack at close quarters. The spear was fairly heavy (up to four pounds), since it was only carried by one arm. It measured six to eight feet in length and was only one inch in diameter. The shaft of the spear was made out of wood while the spearhead was made out of iron.