Theban Hoplites. Yes shocking right? I didn't say Spartans!? HERESY! Anyway, I say the Thebans because they decisively beat the Spartans and Athenians (sometimes both of them combined) repeatedly. If you haven't figured it out for yourself yet, the phalanx is a very rigid and inflexible formation that is designed to essentially steamroll your enemies with an impenetrable bronze and wood wall of ass-fucking. But as I said above, it's a very inflexible formation that easily allows you to be outmaneuvered if you're not a smart general or if the formation breaks up even just a little due to rough terrain or whatnot (see the Battle of Pydna for an example) Traditionally, hoplite formations had the most elite men on the right flank, including the commander. But Theban commanders would - in a bold move - place the bulk of their units as well as their elite units on the
left flank and the Sacred Band (A handpicked troop of 300 of the most elite, badasses in Thebes who are totally dtf and cool with man on man with each other) would smash through the enemies best troops and kill their leader, breaking morale with a bronze-plated fist of gay pride. The Thebans once scared off an entire Spartan army by standing still and looking at them. True story. The Thebans would essentially cut off the head of the snake with their tactics, immediately killing off the enemy leader as well as their elite units. And also, the Thebans made very good use of light infantry, cavalry, and skirmishers. Using them not only to break enemy infantry but to harass enemy movements and provide support to the Theban right flank since the bulk of its force was on the left.
