specifics in Spear fighting combat

[Paullus Scipio]

Paul B. wrote:-

I know of no author who agrees with the notion that hoplites did not charge in the depth given as "normal" (8-16) besides yourself. Any modern authors agree with you?

....I was rather expecting this, given your views on Othismos... :wink:

I don't read many modern authors, so I cannot say.......
Will Xenophon serve ?

He ordered the Greeks to form their lines and take their positions just as they were accustomed to do for battle,( i.e. not march/manouevre/open order, 8 ranks deep, but 'battle'/close order) each general marshalling his own men. So they formed the line four deep, Menon and his troops occupying the right wing, Clearchus and his troops the left, and the other generals the centre........ And the Greeks all had helmets of bronze, crimson tunics, and greaves, and carried their shields uncovered. When he had driven past them all, he halted his chariot in front of the centre of the phalanx, and sending his interpreter Pigres to the generals of the Greeks, gave orders that the troops should advance arms and the phalanx move forward in a body. The generals transmitted these orders to the soldiers, and when the trumpet sounded, they advanced arms and charged. And then, as they went on faster and faster, at length with a shout the troops broke into a run of their own accord, ( so the charge is seemingly normally carried out at a fast walk....?) in the direction of the camp. As for the barbarians, they were terribly frightened; the Cilician queen took to flight in her carriage, and the people in the market left their wares behind and took to their heels; while the Greeks with a roar of laughter came up to their camp.

Q.E.D.....? D lol: ( and please don't trot out that "special pleading" that they 'must have' formed up thinner than usual because they were going to fight barbarians.....note that Xenophon says 'as they were accustomed to do')