09-16-2009, 04:50 AM
Quote:PMBardunias:1zmwgi73 Wrote:Quote:Remember that they would have to use these shields with a sword at times, so a single grip at the edge would not be sufficient.
And why could they not fight with their swords with a shield suspended by a grip at the edge and a strap? We know that phalangites weren't very effective in close combat, and maybe this is one of the reasons why..
While it is possible that the shield was held via strap and an edge grip it is far more likely that a porpax, of some description, remained. Attestations of Alexander's phalangites in action where the sarisa was obviously not used speak to the troops being used in some form of "hoplite" manner: shield and spear. Coenus' "so-called" aesthetairoi at Tyre come to mind. Whilst in a phalanx melee a phalangite may have resorted to just the edge grip, in instances where the sarisa was not used it would make more sense to use a porpax.
Paralus|Michael Park
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
