08-27-2016, 04:32 AM
(08-27-2016, 04:08 AM)Bryan Wrote: How can pushing with an aspis be done if the hoplites behind don't have their shields properly lined up and pushing on your back?
Imagine a wedge formation of aspis armed hoplites, like racked billiard balls. The pressure from behind wouldnt push them straight forward, which is the direction the lead hoplite and everyone else are facing. Instead it would be diagonal force from the sides and rear. Easily fixed by putting everyone in files.
The aspis is a very big sheild. Othismos works best if men are in files, they can easily transmit shock waves forward for example in the manner of falling dominoes , but you could do it with men staggered. Each rank is locked together, so even off line they transfer force. I should note that you can do othismos at a 90cm frontage, we did it with a single file, and in this case being directly behind is more important in order to keep your push vector straight through the man in front and not slip off the side.
The billiards rach situation you describe does not happen, but I have a feeling that the pushing force was biased to the right, like half your wedge, from some tests I have done. This would give the files on each taxis's right a slight advantage.
