How did Greek hoplites challenge the Persian army at Plataea?

At the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE, Greek hoplites challenged the Persian army by utilizing their superior equipment and disciplined phalanx formation during close-quarters combat.1

Although the Persian general Mardonius initially held a numerical advantage, the Greek forces—led by the Spartan Pausanias—were able to capitalize on a tactical opening. When the Greek army became somewhat disorganized during a repositioning maneuver, Mardonius launched an offensive. This move allowed the Greeks to engage the Persians at close range, where the hoplites' heavy armor, shields, and thrusting spears proved decisive.12

The hoplites' ability to fight as a cohesive, heavily armed unit overwhelmed the Persian infantry. The death of Mardonius during this engagement caused the Persian forces to break and flee, resulting in a crushing victory for the Greeks and effectively ending Persian ambitions on the Greek mainland.134