 The most famous are the Peltasts, light-armed troops who wore no armour and were armed with a light shield, javelins and a short sword.The Athenian general Iphicrates developed a new type of armour and arms for his mercenary army, which included light linen armour, smaller shields and longer spears, whilst arming his Peltasts with larger shields, helmets and a longer spear, thus enabling them to defend themselves more easily against hoplites.With this new type of army he defeated a Spartan army in 392 BC.