09-10-2010, 02:02 AM
Hetaeroi kai Hetaerae,
We wrapped up our latest Plataian event last weekend, which contained a fairly significant amount of the usual entertainments: fighting, games, eating, drinking, and general rowdy behaviour. That said, we made a co-ordinated effort to put together an experiment to test the relative pushing force of two different pushing methods:
- A push from the "classic" stance described in Arrian and observed on Greek vases
- A push from the stance in "crowd-theory" othismos
Methodology
We evolved the test in several steps:
- 2 on 2 pushing
- 4 on 4 pushing
- Adjust numbers based on the results above.
- Add spears to see what the impact of the two stances was on their use
Round 1: 2 on 2 pushing
Given the bio-mechanical advantages of the "classic" stance as described by our physical trainer, our starting line for the "classic" stance were Aurora and Bethany, weighing in at a collective 280 pounds. Opposite were yours truly weighing in at 280 lbs, and Chris Ryall, at 240 for a collective 520 pounds. All bore aspides.
The results were a decisive advantage for the girls, who could push Chris and I back pretty much at will despite our best efforts.
Round 1a: 2 on 4 pushing
Given the girls edge, we added 2 more in a second rank of the "crowd theory" side, Christian and Chase weighing in at 160 and 200 respectively.
With all four of us pushing in the "crowd theory" stance we could hold our own if we planted our feet and leaned, but if we tried to actually push ahead we lost ground to the 2 girls.
Round 2: 4 on 4
We added John at Royce at 220 and 240 to the "classical" stance side to see if there was an impact of their collective pushing in Arrian's stance.
The result was devestating. Even at even numbers, but with the "classical" side underweight, the "crowd theory" side would have been on their collective backsides several times if we had not stopped.
Round Three: 2 on 7
Our "crowd-theory" side was having a rough go, so we rejigged things for the next round. John and Royce, representing something of our average size, formed the new, 2-man "classical" stance team. The remaining 7 hoplites formed the, "crowd-theory" team, and pushed with all their might.
We ran this several times, as there were a number of developments as we proceeded.
In the earlier pushes, the mid-rankers in the "crowd theory" team found their aspides being shoved up vertically into their necks, literally choking them. So their breathing was being impeded by the rim of their shield, rather than aided by the bowl.
Forcing the aspis down in subsequent pushes in an attempt to counteract this had another unanticipated result. While ameliorating the choking to some extent, Christian and Chase were literally lifted off their feet by the resulting pressures of the rank behind and the rank in front. So not only were they not contributing to the push, they were out of action for all intents and purposes.
The seven on the "crowd theory" side were never able to make the "classical" side give ground, but were edged back repeatedly.
Round 4a: Spears for the "Crowd Theory" Side
Balancing the sides back out again, we added spears to "crowd theory" side to see if they could be deployed effectively.
What was found was that the stance forced by "crowd theory" would not allow the spear to be effectively deployed. In fact, even the front rankers couldn't put a shot into the classical side, as having been forced up only allowed us to deliver overhand shots, and the pressure on our backs meant our shots went over the heads of the "classical side"
Second rankers were completely out of the game, they couldn't even see their opponents, let along take a stab at them.
Round 4b: Spears for the "Classical" Side
We now armed the classical side, and the push advantage of the "classical" side became a rout.
Both "classical" ranks could effectively deliver shots overhand, and the front rank could readily switch up to deliver underhand just as well, while still being able to maintain the pressure.
A final round with uneven sides ended the experiment. When combining pushing and stabbing the "classical" side could quite literally roll up the "crowd theory" side, even outnumbered 7:2.
Conclusions
Based on our experiment, the Arrian's stance for pushing seems to be supported as a functional method for both pushing and spear combat in the hoplon, and hence it will serve as a valid mechanic for interpreting physical pushing in the phalanx. This of course does not rule out other mechanisms such as pushing by morale or spear combat attrition, or some combination of the above, which are also possible interpretations of the period sources.
In addition, a number of problems were found in the "crowd-theory" othismos model, such as choking by the shield rim, lifting of mid-ranks, inability to attack with the spear, and inability to generate significant pushing pressure, which have not previously been identified.
Have fun!
We wrapped up our latest Plataian event last weekend, which contained a fairly significant amount of the usual entertainments: fighting, games, eating, drinking, and general rowdy behaviour. That said, we made a co-ordinated effort to put together an experiment to test the relative pushing force of two different pushing methods:
- A push from the "classic" stance described in Arrian and observed on Greek vases
- A push from the stance in "crowd-theory" othismos
Methodology
We evolved the test in several steps:
- 2 on 2 pushing
- 4 on 4 pushing
- Adjust numbers based on the results above.
- Add spears to see what the impact of the two stances was on their use
Round 1: 2 on 2 pushing
Given the bio-mechanical advantages of the "classic" stance as described by our physical trainer, our starting line for the "classic" stance were Aurora and Bethany, weighing in at a collective 280 pounds. Opposite were yours truly weighing in at 280 lbs, and Chris Ryall, at 240 for a collective 520 pounds. All bore aspides.
The results were a decisive advantage for the girls, who could push Chris and I back pretty much at will despite our best efforts.
Round 1a: 2 on 4 pushing
Given the girls edge, we added 2 more in a second rank of the "crowd theory" side, Christian and Chase weighing in at 160 and 200 respectively.
With all four of us pushing in the "crowd theory" stance we could hold our own if we planted our feet and leaned, but if we tried to actually push ahead we lost ground to the 2 girls.
Round 2: 4 on 4
We added John at Royce at 220 and 240 to the "classical" stance side to see if there was an impact of their collective pushing in Arrian's stance.
The result was devestating. Even at even numbers, but with the "classical" side underweight, the "crowd theory" side would have been on their collective backsides several times if we had not stopped.
Round Three: 2 on 7
Our "crowd-theory" side was having a rough go, so we rejigged things for the next round. John and Royce, representing something of our average size, formed the new, 2-man "classical" stance team. The remaining 7 hoplites formed the, "crowd-theory" team, and pushed with all their might.
We ran this several times, as there were a number of developments as we proceeded.
In the earlier pushes, the mid-rankers in the "crowd theory" team found their aspides being shoved up vertically into their necks, literally choking them. So their breathing was being impeded by the rim of their shield, rather than aided by the bowl.
Forcing the aspis down in subsequent pushes in an attempt to counteract this had another unanticipated result. While ameliorating the choking to some extent, Christian and Chase were literally lifted off their feet by the resulting pressures of the rank behind and the rank in front. So not only were they not contributing to the push, they were out of action for all intents and purposes.
The seven on the "crowd theory" side were never able to make the "classical" side give ground, but were edged back repeatedly.
Round 4a: Spears for the "Crowd Theory" Side
Balancing the sides back out again, we added spears to "crowd theory" side to see if they could be deployed effectively.
What was found was that the stance forced by "crowd theory" would not allow the spear to be effectively deployed. In fact, even the front rankers couldn't put a shot into the classical side, as having been forced up only allowed us to deliver overhand shots, and the pressure on our backs meant our shots went over the heads of the "classical side"
Second rankers were completely out of the game, they couldn't even see their opponents, let along take a stab at them.
Round 4b: Spears for the "Classical" Side
We now armed the classical side, and the push advantage of the "classical" side became a rout.
Both "classical" ranks could effectively deliver shots overhand, and the front rank could readily switch up to deliver underhand just as well, while still being able to maintain the pressure.
A final round with uneven sides ended the experiment. When combining pushing and stabbing the "classical" side could quite literally roll up the "crowd theory" side, even outnumbered 7:2.
Conclusions
Based on our experiment, the Arrian's stance for pushing seems to be supported as a functional method for both pushing and spear combat in the hoplon, and hence it will serve as a valid mechanic for interpreting physical pushing in the phalanx. This of course does not rule out other mechanisms such as pushing by morale or spear combat attrition, or some combination of the above, which are also possible interpretations of the period sources.
In addition, a number of problems were found in the "crowd-theory" othismos model, such as choking by the shield rim, lifting of mid-ranks, inability to attack with the spear, and inability to generate significant pushing pressure, which have not previously been identified.
Have fun!
Cole
