The history of Greece can be traced back to Stone Age hunters. Later came early farmers and the civilizations of the Minoan and Mycenaean kings. Warfare in Greece centered mainly on heavy infantrymen called the Greek hoplite. These were a citizen-militia, and so were armed as spearmen, which are relatively easy to equip and maintain. Almost all the famous men of ancient Greece, even the philosophers and playwrights, fought as a hoplite in some battle or another. The Greek Hoplite generally armed themselves immediately before battle, since the equipment was so heavy. A Greek hoplite typically had a breastplate, a bronze helmet, as well as greaves and other armour, plus a bowl-shaped wooden shield. The primary weapon was a long spear, as this frequently broke upon charging and was unwieldy for close combat, hoplites also carried a smaller thrusting hoplite sword.