04-12-2011, 02:32 AM
I was following some discussions on the Othismos as a hoplite tactic seperate from the doratismos. And began to wonder that if this was the case how often would a pushing match occur? Would you expect it to occur at least once every battle whenever two hoplite forces met or was it done only on rare occasions for specialized purposes conditions such as driving back the Spartan right at Leuctra? If the latter what would the right conditions be?
On a somewhat related note would it be correct to say that the Othismos was not the same as a 'regular' charge in that the goal is to physically push the enemy back instead of merely closing to kill with swords or shorter weapons?
On a somewhat related note would it be correct to say that the Othismos was not the same as a 'regular' charge in that the goal is to physically push the enemy back instead of merely closing to kill with swords or shorter weapons?
Henry O.