A new orthodoxy suggests only the front 2‑3 ranks of a phalanx actually fought, with looser spacing for a shield wall and limited dueling. Greeks relied on combined arms—cavalry, missile troops, terrain—to open gaps, while pitched battles were rare. The Peloponnesian War marks a peak of this mixed‑tactics approach, with Spartans as the notable exception of full‑time professionals.
New paradigm reveals Greek warfare was combined arms
Key facts
- New orthodoxy: only first 2-3 ranks of phalanx could engage in combat, not entire formation
- Phalanx likely had looser spacing enabling shield wall and limited dueling
- Battle strategy focused on opening gaps in enemy formation rather than shoving match
- Greeks used combined arms: phalanx supported by cavalry, missile troops, geographical features
- Pitched battles were rare; skirmishes, sieges, raiding, and civilian massacres were norm
- The Delian War represents culmination of Greek warfare, not breakdown of phalanx
- Spartans were exception as full-time professional soldiers; most hoplites were citizen militia
Sources
Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part II: Hoplite Equipment, Hoplight or ...acoup.blog
... phalanx, and in particular outside of the 'massed shove othismos' phalanx (as opposed to looser phalanxes we'll get into next time). The ...
Collections: Hoplite Wars, Part IIIb: A Phalanx By Any Other Nameacoup.blog
Hans van Wees, meanwhile, in Myths and Realities, suggests a much looser spacing, with six foot intervals (c. 180cm) and expresses skepticism ...
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