Quote Originally Posted by Immortales View Post
Hello,
[I]
- Greek hoplite battles were often decided by the depth of ranks because of the pushing power provided. At least I thought so. The author states that being pushed from behind deprives from the opportunity to dodge and strike out thus leading to quick death.
- While the front ranks were fighting the soldiers behind surely threw every kind of missile they could grab. The author claims that this behaviour cost a significant amount of own fighters their lives. Usual and generally accepted.
- The Macedonian phalanx is described almost as a slaughterhouse of its own. The soldiers wielding their pikes in five ranks easily could kill comrades in the rear with their bronze spikes especially when in desperate fighting.
- In general, it is claimed that the greatest enemy of an army in a fight was being packed to close together to wield the weapons.
- Another aspect: uniforms. Simply incredible. There must have been badges, what do you think? In the book the author talks about two famous examples where identification failed. In the Athenian night battle at Syracuse and a battle between Athenians and Thebans where the former surrounded the enemy on both flanks only to start fighting each other when the two wings met in the back of the enemy. This fact would have deprived the generals from many tactical options and could be resolved with common sense, so what’s about any kind of uniform?
My Opinion
1) but the fact, Hoplite vs hoplite battle usually gives up more captives than death, but the death toll often include most prominent citizens and generals, who usually lead from the front as an exemplary manner.
2) Throwing things is the jobs ofakontistai and peltastai kinds, a Hoplitai would have allready burdened with his own large aspis and armour, so it was really hard to bow and took something from the ground to be thrown... but throwing spears, missed javelins and swords in desperation is generally maybe... acceptable... in some sort of condition... put aside the fact that many citizens do have a javelin throwing activities at gymnasium... they won't as bad as riotters throwing rocks...
3) I don't know about that, but i suppose the butt-spike is considerably duller than the front... and they are well drilled enough to respect teir comrades at their backside... well, maybe this was happened among the ranks of Pantodapoi and Deuteroi, but Klerouchoi and Pezhetairoi upwards are significantly well trained and drilled...
4) That's true, read more about The Romaioi vs Hannibaal battle at cannae.
5) Looks like the lack of RTW clone-troopers uniform cause them... really funny...