Were they tackling each other like football or something? Just feels like if you’ve got a 20 foot spear pointed forwards, there’s no point in having other people behind you pointing their sticks at the sky.
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The most important thing to know is that in ancient warfare, which ever side has they’re line break first took horrendous casualties
The extra rows provided 3 major things – more spears, bracing, and morale support
Morale management is probably the second most important thing in warfare behind logistics
A single guy with a spear is easy to get around and poke. A line of guys with spears still leaves man sized gaps that someone with a sword and shield can walk between. 3-4 rows of guys with spears makes for a dense and angry hedgehog that you have to fight with your own spears
The next bunch of rows provided physical support. The phalanxes would hit and *shove* each other. If someone could get pushed back and fall over then the unit is in trouble. The middle rows provided enough human mass to keep the front from being pushed over or a horse successfully pushing part of the spears back
The rest were morale support. The first couple rows should be terrified, the next dozen can see what’s going on. The last dozen haven’t a clue so they’re happy to stay there pressing forward. This physically prevents the rows in front from being able to turn and run which leaves them with die or fight to the death and they’ll pick fight
The most important thing to know is that in ancient warfare, which ever side has they’re line break first took horrendous casualties
The extra rows provided 3 major things – more spears, bracing, and morale support
Morale management is probably the second most important thing in warfare behind logistics
A single guy with a spear is easy to get around and poke. A line of guys with spears still leaves man sized gaps that someone with a sword and shield can walk between. 3-4 rows of guys with spears makes for a dense and angry hedgehog that you have to fight with your own spears
The next bunch of rows provided physical support. The phalanxes would hit and *shove* each other. If someone could get pushed back and fall over then the unit is in trouble. The middle rows provided enough human mass to keep the front from being pushed over or a horse successfully pushing part of the spears back
The rest were morale support. The first couple rows should be terrified, the next dozen can see what’s going on. The last dozen haven’t a clue so they’re happy to stay there pressing forward. This physically prevents the rows in front from being able to turn and run which leaves them with die or fight to the death and they’ll pick fight
Roman phalanxes put the young, inexperienced soldiers at the front, with the experienced soldiers behind them and the veterans at the back.
Inexperienced soldiers are likely to run away or at least fail to fight, the experienced soldiers keep them in line.
Roman phalanxes put the young, inexperienced soldiers at the front, with the experienced soldiers behind them and the veterans at the back.
Inexperienced soldiers are likely to run away or at least fail to fight, the experienced soldiers keep them in line.
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