Quickly, the phalanx formation and hoplite armour became widely used throughout Ancient Greece. The hoplite army consisted of heavy infantrymen. Each hoplite bore the Spartan emblem and a scarlet uniform. The Spartan hoplite followed a strict laconic code of honor. The hoplite was an infantryman, the central element of warfare in Ancient Greece. Militarily, a major lesson for the Greeks was the potential of the hoplite phalanx. It is probable that he was the originator of hoplite phalanx. Another is the Spartan hoplite in his red garment. However pike-men armed with the "sarissa" never outnumbered troops equipped in the hoplite style. Many armies of mainland Greece retained hoplite warfare. Insofar as hoplite warfare could be perfected, the Spartans did so. Hoplite soldiers made up the bulk of ancient Greek armies. Aelian relates that one hoplite brought his dog to the Athenian encampment. Dark age warfare transitioned into hoplite warfare in the 8th century BC. Yet bronze armour remained in some form until the end of the hoplite era.