The ekdromoi were an ancient Greek light hoplites. The name means 'out-runners', and denotes their ability to exit the phalanx and fight in an irregular order, as the situation might demand. The ekdromoi were mostly lightly armoured fast infantry and were armed with spear and short sword. The term would actually describe any hoplite who practiced the tactic of ekdrome, that is the irregular exit from the battle line.