Page "Hoplite" Paragraph 23

Each hoplite provided his own equipment.

Thus, only those who could afford such weaponry fought as hoplites ; as with the Roman Republican army it was the middle classes who formed the bulk of the infantry.

Equipment was not standardised, although there were doubtless trends in general designs over time, and between city-states.

Hoplites had customized armour, and possibly family symbols on his shield.

The equipment might well be passed down in families, since it would have been expensive to manufacture.