Phalanx

[Matthew Amt]

The phalanx, like most any other ancient formation, was designed to go forward and fight an enemy to its front. For several centuries the most likely opposing force was another phalanx. So if they simply collided head-on, as was typically the case, there wasn't much immediate worry about flanks or rear. Certainly if hoplites at one end of the line saw the enemy moving around them, they could turn in that direction, but unless that was done in a very orderly and disciplined way it could be very disruptive to the rest of the line. That leads to panic, and to losing the battle! So any decent general arranged his army to prevent that in the first place (using geography to protect flanks, etc.) But generally speaking, all the troops faced forwards, because that's where the enemy was.

Khaire,

Matthew