greek xiphos spartaHoplites were the heavily armed infantrymen in the ancient Greek army. His most important weapon was his lance (dory) and the most important means of defense was the large round shield (aspis). The xiphos, or sword, was a secondary weapon that hoplites carried on the left side. The xiphos is a relatively short sword (blade was on average 45 60 cm long) with a leaf shaped blade. They were mainly used if the spear was broken, or in close combat, for