[split] Phalanx warfare: use of the spear

[JaM]

that picture is a moot - tree doesn't push at you... force would be doubled with same number of men pushing against you... basic physics... and of course, you have single file.. with locked shields, it would be not a single file, but multiple rows at once which would quadruple the force.. really not something anybody in his sane mind would want to be in.. at least not in a front rank..

The reason this technique works with sarissa is that opposing every single Roman has to fight his way past 5-10 sarissa tips to make it to sword distance of the Macedonian phalanx. Should the Roman charge, or not retreat against the Macedonian style phalanx advance, then they will get stuck against spear points (which might penetrate the thinner scutum), or at the very least prevent them from getting close enough to the enemy to thrust/cut them with a gladius.

not really, because those other sarrissas are  half a meter away... they dont have variable length..