Othismos: Classical vs Crowd Theory Othismos

[Paullus Scipio]

Paul B. wrote:

Now if we found a lost text by Xenophon describing side-on pushing in detail,.......

Surely a side-on stance like a fencer is a 'non sequitur', and not under realistic consideration ? hock:

If hoplites did not do something that a later shield wall could not, then the special designation of "othismos" becomes frivolous, and the phalanx is simply a wall of shields that pushes against its opposite at times an might even find itself acting a bit crowd-like for short periods like every other shield wall in history.

Ah, Grasshopper !! At long last enlightenment is dawning !