03-30-2014, 06:04 PM
There is a narrative of "decline and fall" of phalanx which argues that the phalanx was a nimble and flexible beast in the time of Alexander the Great, well coordinated with cavalry and light troops, with a long but not too long pike. This narrative argues for a stultification of phalanx tactics, so that by the time the Romans march in, they encountered a far less effective version of the phalanx used with such effect by Philip and Alexander.
I am not sure this narrative is entirely correct. It does seem that the size of the sarissa grew; in theory this could make phalanx fighting clunkier. But it was compensated for by a reduction in the size of the shield: note on the Alexander mosaic, the phalangite fights with a large, rimmed, hoplite shield; this was replaced in the 3rd century by a somewhat smaller rimless shield, making it easier for the phalangite to wield his growing sarissa.
As to the pikes projecting, this is the analysis of Polybius; the actual number of ranks able to project their pikes would have likely varied somewhat based on the actual deployment of the ranks.
I am not sure this narrative is entirely correct. It does seem that the size of the sarissa grew; in theory this could make phalanx fighting clunkier. But it was compensated for by a reduction in the size of the shield: note on the Alexander mosaic, the phalangite fights with a large, rimmed, hoplite shield; this was replaced in the 3rd century by a somewhat smaller rimless shield, making it easier for the phalangite to wield his growing sarissa.
As to the pikes projecting, this is the analysis of Polybius; the actual number of ranks able to project their pikes would have likely varied somewhat based on the actual deployment of the ranks.
