Slitherine

Why is the Spartan Hoplite locked behind the Empire form of government?

Should be the reverse actually, with the Hoplitic phalange becoming a Macedonian style phalange (historically thanks to Kleomenes III)

That suggests that there should be an event/decision that fires after ~50 turns to unlock the phalanx, not that it requires becoming an empire!

At the moment merc inf, merc cav, cataphracts (all of which seem to be standard empire unlocks if prohibited), heavy ships and spartan hoplites are locked behind the empire reform.

Sparta really needs "auxiliary" regular infantry and light cavalry buildable outside of Greece itself.