Hoplites fighting in Phalanx formation

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Hi Trey.
The first bit about open formation is rubish!The man does not only dissagree with a respectful source(Thoucydites)but he simply ignores every single pieceof arcaelogical and literal evidence we have!AND common sence,because if you imagine a battle in that formation described,it wouldn't be any different than Homeric battles.And he simply bases his theory on the mobilty needed to achieve a powerful hit.
The only thing that deserves to be discussed is the part with the shield angle.In many vases and in some sculptures hoplites are depicted that way and there is e very simple explanation.Given that most enemy hits would come downwards,if you hold the shield in an angle you protect larger part of your body and legs.However,you cannot do this once that fpalanxes have clashed because there is preshure from behind and what comes is the "othismos".So it is possible that hoplites used their shield that way only when the phalanx broke.In addition,theshield is far too heavy to hold it like that for a long time.
Khaire
Giannis