05-25-2006, 11:16 AM
Polybius said three feet but in the same passage he said that each legionary had to face two men in the front rank of a phalanx formation so he must have had twice as much space as a hoplite. This doesn't mean that they couldn't close ranks and lock shields when necessary, but it wasn't their normal formation.
Here is the full passage.
"However, according to the Roman methods of fighting each man makes his movements individually: not only does he defend his body with his long shield, constantly moving it to meet a threatened blow, but he uses his sword for both cutting and for thrusting. Obviously, these tactics require a more open order and an interval between the men, and in practice each soldier needs be at least three feet from those in the same rank and from those in front of and behind him if he is to perfom his function efficiently. The result of these dispositions is that each Roman soldier has to face two men in the front rank of the phalanx, and so has to encouter and fight against ten spear points."
Here is the full passage.
"However, according to the Roman methods of fighting each man makes his movements individually: not only does he defend his body with his long shield, constantly moving it to meet a threatened blow, but he uses his sword for both cutting and for thrusting. Obviously, these tactics require a more open order and an interval between the men, and in practice each soldier needs be at least three feet from those in the same rank and from those in front of and behind him if he is to perfom his function efficiently. The result of these dispositions is that each Roman soldier has to face two men in the front rank of the phalanx, and so has to encouter and fight against ten spear points."
Author: Bronze Age Military Equipment, Pen & Sword Books
