Just came across and article referring to them as such. My knowledge isnt great but i kinda struggle with the idea. My understanding being that for starters Hoplite is a Greek word and they were called such because of their Hoplon/shield.
In terms of Phalanx again my understanding is that one of the Roman armies strong points was its maneuverability and flexibility. Which to me seems rather opposite to the idea of a phalanx of men in union and the strength coming from the compact formation.
Did the Romans themselves ever describe themselves as Hoplites fighting in phalanx formation or was that reserved for the Greeks?
Before the famous maniple system that the Romans employed was even used, they would have definitely fought in the phalanx formation. The evolution from phalanx to the maniple system is something I'm not really familiar with, unfortunately, so maybe someone with expertise in that matter could elaborate further.