08-21-2010, 03:03 AM
Quote:Quote:He states that the wedge/Keil formation was used by several cultures (page 273), including Greek...
Only cavalry formed "wedges", and then not Greeks or Thessalians who used square and Rhomboid fomations. A wedge of Hoplites has been postulated for the theban formation at Mantinea based on a too literal reading of a word that Xenophon used to describe the mass of men that also denotes the ram of a ship. This is surely nonsense, as a wedge of hoplites, each rank presenting an unshielded right flanker to the foes is a good way to lose a battle.
Burton, who was certainly an intelligent man (spoke 29 languages for example) an experienced duelist with the sword and very well travelled, does seem to have quite an imagination.
_____________________________________________________
Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
