The Makedonian phalanx -- why such depth?

[Paullus Scipio]

Paul B. wrote:

Quote:Then there are the difficulties/impossibilities of moving lines of men, a kilometre long, across typical Greek terrain in 'close order' ........( c.f. Polybius' criticisms of Callisthenes referred to ante)

I think there is ample evidence that they did not do this. They moved a group of units that start off in a rough line at close order, but the many examples we have of units charging at different distances show that there was no expectation to move the whole line in marionette unison such as we might expect from the early modern armies where drill was fetishized. The most gross example of this is that any unit lined up along side Spartans could not have kept pace with them because they marched during the charge while even Spartan trained mercenaries ran. This is not such a problem because a battle line reformed upon contact with enemy units and exploiting such differential arrival times is a lot more difficult for an enemy to do that it appears to us.

Very well, accepting that this is correct, at least for some battles, I think you would grant that at least each contingent within a phalanx maintained cohesion? ( else why would the Spartans march in step?). That being so, 5,000 Spartans at Plataea, formed up, say 8 deep, would occupy 625 yards in close order - and even that length of line would not be practicable to advance in, and maintain close order...... accordingly, such advances/manouevres must have taken place in 'normal'/open order....