The Female Hoplite, 3D Illustration Stock Photography

The hoplites fought in a closed formation, the phalanx. If one side was fled, the battle was mostly decided because many fighters threw away their heavy shield while fleeing. Another fight without the shield was not possible. Hence the phrase: `Come back so victorious or on your shield so dead.` This made the battles more determined, but they were probably shorter and mostly clear-cut. The duration of a hoplite battle is not known for certain. Ancient sources often speak of a long duration, but it never took an entire day.