Hoplites WERE an anchor or shield, while lighter troops attempted to outflank, such as peltastai or the lightly armed Ekdremoi (hmmm, thanks EB, look at how much you've taught me).


That being said, I do see the side to your logic, and feel I stand partially corrected. I still think many of my points were valid and logical. One cannot maintain a tight formation while running at full tilt.

Once the two lines met, it was a defensive battle. The phalanx which maintained it's integrity and fought off all comers was usually the victor. Are these not defensively oriented tactics?

And a swordsmen can turn flank far easier than a spearmen in the relatively tighter formation of the phalanx.

Bootsiuv