Hoplites fighting in Phalanx formation

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

We should all agree that the idea of a "phalanx" with the hoplites 6 feet appart is rediculous.You cannot reject Thoucydides,Xenophon,Tyrtaios,Plato etc etc and all sculptures showing overlapping shields plus vases plus common sence just based on a writer that in his time hoplite phalanx was already forgoten for centuries or in Homer's poems when you know that AFTER Homer(whenever he lived)the hoplite aspis was invented!Plato sais in one of his dialogs that the practise to become a "hoplomachos" is needless!In any open order formation this practise and training is not needless but vital!Van Wees' theory,at this point at least,is rediculous and Hanson has sumarised well all existing evidense,including description of the armour and the mobility you had in it,to conclude to his very convinsing theory.
As for when Homer lived and what time he is describing,there has been much debate and Matt Amt is more apropriate to speak about that.Visit his Bronze Age site for more info.
Khairete
Giannis