Did the Greeks ever adopt foreign equipment ..

[Ghostmojo]

The Greek alphabet was certainly related to those of the near east, as were much of their proto-religious ideas. They also drew from Egypt which had been the preeminent power in earlier times, and the Greeks came into contact with them often, and not just because of their colony in Kyrene. Herodotos was clear on the religious connections with Egypt.

True. But why would any of this stimulate adoption of foreign military equipment? Nothing does that better than direct, open warfare...

~Theo

Why wouldn't it? Who can say how far trade extended and also things being gifted between figures of political or civic importance? That may (or may not) have included military equipment. Isn't is possible one king or leader offered up a set of his finest warrior's gear as a present to a friendly head of state?

Who first invented the horsehair crest on a helmet, for example, and how and why did it spread across the ancient world?