09-25-2003, 12:17 PM
I think the checkboard formation is,as stated before, designed to allow the passing of retiring soldiers from the front line, and that this formation was designed not to fight a phalanx, but rather a static formation of spearmen, the typical wall of shields, so that the legion, rotating troops, could the pressing onto it until making a break. BTW, I remember that in late XVI century checkboard formations were very popular, squares of pikemen flanked by shot were arranegd leaving gaps for the passing of cavalry <p></p><i></i>