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Hoplites and Phalanx Combat
#1
Phalanx and hoplites are supposedly the core and flower of Greek armies.<br>
<br>
How could it happen that using such way of fighting Hellenes achieved such good results? I mean that copy-book maxim that phalanx has disadvantage in manoeuvrability and its flanks are<br>
vulnerable. This is the case, there were numerous examples when heavily armored hoplites were defeated by light missile troops and nobody can deny that long line of hoplites is difficult to control.<br>
<br>
First of all, majority of battles were wars of hundreds, not thousands and tens of thousands soldiers. Having in mind these comparatively small units, things are different. You can control such formation rather effectively.<br>
As for missile troops… There were usually a lot of slingers, javelinmen and archers attached to hoplites. Hoplites were best armored infantry in the world and Mediterranean missile troops were not too effective. So, hoplites were tanks of antiquity and in this region nothing could oppose them.<br>
Psychologically men ready from the very beginning for a close hand-to-hand combat are in advantage. Hostile missile troops may encircle them and what? If hoplites don’t have missile support, how long will it take for enemy to empty their supply of missiles? Fifteen minutes? Half an hour? And if hoplites have some missile troops of their own they could easily neutralize enemy fire and do whatever they want, move in whatever direction they desire. Usually they attacked and their cavalry and missile troops covered their flanks and rear.<br>
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub152.ezboard.com/bgreekarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=warrior11>warrior11</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.chathome.com.ua/smile/182.gif" BORDER=0> at: 11/9/03 8:59<br></i>
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Messages In This Thread
Hoplites and Phalanx Combat - by Anonymous - 11-08-2003, 07:26 PM
Re: Hoplites and Phalanx Combat - by Anonymous - 11-17-2003, 04:51 PM
Greek battle tactics - by Anonymous - 12-26-2003, 11:42 PM

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