All physically fit citizens 18-60 years
Hoplite - a heavy infantryman. He wore armor, a breastplate, helmet, and greaves (to protect the lower leg).He was armed with a long spear, 8 -12 feet long, used for thrusting, and a large round shield called a hoplon. Hoplites fought in close order, shoulder to shoulder. Hoplites were usually citizens of the state for which they fought.
Peltast – were a lighter infantryman, without armor except for a helmet. They were armed with the long spear plus 7 smaller spheres, for throwing. They carried a longer, oval shaped shield, or sometimes a crescent shaped shield. Peltasts fought in a more open order, their job in battle being to protect the flanks and rear of hoplite formations. Although sometimes citizens of the state fought, many peltasts were mercenaries in ancient Greece.
Psiloi - were the missile troops, completely unarmored. They could be armed with a bow, a sling, or a small spear. They rarely carried shields. Psiloi fought in an extended open order. Their job on the battlefield was to take on the enemy ahead of the main group. The Psiloi were citizens too poor to afford the equipment of a hoplite.
Cavalry - some armies also had small numbers of cavalry. These could be light cavalry, unarmored men in open order armed only with small spheres.
Other cavalry fought in a closer formation, wore leather or metal armor, and were armed with a sphere and sometimes a shield.
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