Phalanx Mobility

[hoplite14gr]

I persuaded six friends to try Andonius idea.
The crime took place in cleared large living room.
Brumsticks and plastic mop sticks played the roll of pikes and our laptop bags became shields with telamon slunged over our soulders and looped cables trying to imitate the handles. (Is that reenacting or what?!!!).
Resisting the taunts of our wives and girlfriends we tried the manouvers.
Well Antonius you certainly have a strong point that left palm faces downwards. It certainly gives beter protection and it is easier to hanlde the the broom..whoops I mean pike!. In my opinion though, it works with pikes not spears.
Dan I agree with you that phalanx at least pike phalanx is older than classical times. Philip was a "MYSTIS" (a.k.a initiate) of the Kaveiric and Dodonean mysteries. This ancient practices were a way to preserve and transmit older knowledge. So perhaps he re-intoduced the pike if not inventing it.

Aryaman2 if the formation is not in SYNASPISMOS (a.k.a shild lock) than all troops can execute the about face command if need be. The last rank becomes the front rank. In classical times it was not a problem.
I have done it in a 100 men square formation carring 25 gilograms weight and holding my rifle diagonaly with byonet fixed. I was in the middle rankes On the "METAVOLI!" command you turn 2 times left and you look in the opposite direction. There is a way also to turn in one go. I plan to demonstrate this if Paul succedes the hoplites 2006 gathering to happen.

Kind regards
Stefanos