08-27-2016, 02:43 AM
(08-27-2016, 01:13 AM)heBryan Wrote: What is the first specific reference of hoplites forming in files for battle?
There are quite a few. Basic hoplite drill- as practiced at least by Spartans and seemingly mercenaries- was follow the leader: Xenophon Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 11.6 “The formation is so easy to understand that no one who knows man from man can possibly go wrong. For some have the privilege of leading; and the rest are under orders to follow.”
The drill itself is done by doubling, ie. cutting the line in half and moving the rear half along side the front, on the left hand side: Xenophon Cyropaedia. 2.3.21
And once he saw another taxiarch leading his taxis up from the river left about in single file and ordering when he thought it was proper, the second lochos and then the third and the fourth to advance to the front; and when the lochagoi were in a row in front, he ordered each lochos to march up in double file. Thus the dekadarchs came to stand on the front line. Again, when he thought proper, he ordered the pempadarchs to line up four abreast”
As for early hoplites, we don't know for sure. I think it most likely that the file was the basic unit and a ranking of prowess, prestige and equipment level from front to rear for each. Even if there were little organization at this date, a man would know who he preferred to stand behind and in front of. they may have grouped along ranks by kinship ties too, but you would not want different grades of men, again by prowess , age or equipment, in the same rank.
