Answer :
The correct answer to the question is A) Hoplites.
Hoplites were heavily armored ancient Greek infantry soldiers who were known for fighting in a phalanx formation. This military formation was a dense grouping of soldiers, typically standing in ranks and files and moving as a unit.
In the phalanx, hoplites stood shoulder to shoulder in a rectangular formation with their shields overlapping and long spears extended out in front. This setup allowed them to protect one another while also enabling them to attack enemy forces effectively.
The hoplite soldiers were primarily citizen-soldiers of Greek city-states, such as Athens and Sparta, and they often provided their own armor and weapons. Their gear typically included a helmet, cuirass (body armor), greaves (shin armor), a shield called an 'aspis' or 'hoplon,' and a long spear known as a 'dory.'
Hoplites played a crucial role in ancient Greek warfare from around the 7th century BCE onward, contributing to many notable battles, including those in the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War.
