Phalanx warfare: Closing of the ranks

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

The third man can reach an enemy that is shield to shield with his own first rank. That is with these spears that are slightly over two meters long. It is possible that the rear weighted spears were preferred by the rear rankers and as described in the Hellenistic manuals, it was common that many gave longer spears to the rear rankers to make more of them reach the enemy. Again it is not specified wether they talk only about pike phalanxes or also the Hoplite ones.

In the trial of the file we were vigorously moving our spears. The sauroter seems to be a problem for the arms rather than the heads, although no arm was touched by a sauroter.

I think the third rank should expect to fight at any time, although perhaps not in the first stages of battle probably. But if you are in the third rank the battle seems very close to you! I would want to be as ready as possible.

If holding the spear vertical, you can use your own spear to block the front man's spear from getting too close to you