The Makedonian phalanx -- why such depth?

[Paralus]

Notice that Arrian does not tell us where in the file the Macedonians stood (other than the rearmost man -the file closer, and of course the leader is presumably at the front), as I have pointed out. It is possible to interpret this as Macedonians at 1,2,3 and 16, as Paralus has done, but this is decidedly odd if the no.2 is indeed a 'half-file leader'. In that case we might expect him to be at 9, thus the Macedonians are at 1 and 8; 9 and 16 when lined up in file in open order, but when in 'half-files' for combat in close order, they would form the front and rear ranks...

There is no stretch you will not make. It is clear what Arrian meant:

Each company was led by a Macedonian decurion, and next to him was a Macedonian receiving double pay for distinguished valour; and then came one who received ten staters (monthly), who was so named from the pay he received, being somewhat less than that received by the man with double pay, but more than that of the men who were serving as soldiers without holding a position of honour. Next to these came twelve Persians, and last in the company another Macedonian...

You are suggesting that "next" means some several ranks behind?? Please, spare me. Word games, word games.

Plainly Alexander is not going into battle with a single sarisa-armed rank in front and ranks of Persians with bows and thonged javelins behind. This,of course, being the result of your synaspismos at four deep. Yet you seriously expect this to be accepted so as to prove your thesis? Clearly this was a phalanx that was to fight sixteen deep with the Persian "peltasts" in the middle. You are being churlish in suggesting otherwise.

Alexander has a file leader in front and two men "honoured for valour" in the following two ranks armed with the sarisa. This makes an inordianate amount of common sense; your suggestion does not.