04-04-2006, 08:36 PM
Quote:For sure, at Marathon the Athenian hoplites didn´t run the 8 stadia Herodotus says, I am more inclined to Delbruck explanation as a misunderstanding of the sequence of events in battle by Herodotus.
I recall that according to Xenophon at Cunaxa the Greek hoplites reminded each other not to run too fast pursuing the retreating enemy, in order not to break the formation.
There are several instances in which sources speak of picked young hoplites used in special units to charge enemy light troops, I imagine they will use an open order
To sum up, IMO the main factor in the phalanx speed charge would be to preserve order rather than the weight of armour, except in sustained runs, like fighting light troops.
Hi, Aryaman,
You think along the same lines as I do, it would appear although, if 8 stades is only 1500 metres, then I can't understand why you say "For sure" they didn't run this. I'm with you on the picked young men, bit. I think of them as Ekdromoi. I understand why Stefanos says you could train any band of men to run in formation, but I'm thinking in terms of the ekdromoi forming a first wave, intended to engage the enemy at the earliest possible moment and allowing the other Hoplites to come to contact at a steadier pace.
