09-17-2010, 02:40 PM
Quote:This is why the edges and rear of the formation are not in a "crowd", and must actively resist pushing in their direction. Pushing to the right seems to have been a common feature of these formations for a variety of reasons, but holding them back on the right might require you to station your officers on that flank.
I'm not sure I understand that passage and that entire paragraph entirely.. Do you mean that the natural drift towards the right of a hoplite formation could actually be of (incidental) use to make sure that the formation remains packed at the sides? On the left side because men on the left push to the right in order to find more shelter? And on the right because this is where the most effective men are placed that can push against the drift towards the right? Would that mean that placing the elite units to the right is beneficial not only to combat the opponent's strongest flank (the shielded side) but also in order to keep the formation from "spilling out" to the right?
