We may well suggest that hoplites, like phalangites, preferred a more open order.Īnother example. The point is that the notion of hoplites fighting in shield wall formations is not a certainty. Does 'shield against shield' mean 'with shields overlapped' or merely 'with shields touching'? Are the men and shields and helmets pressed against their friends, or against their immediate opponents in a sudden, intense melee? I'm not trying to be tendentious here either reading is possible. Many scholars have seen this as clear evidence for overlapping shields - but there's nothing in these words that shows overlapping shields. Example: both Homer and Tyrtaios, poets from the Archaic period, refer to tight clusters of warriors who stand 'with feet and shoulders close together, helmet pressed against helmet, shield against shield'. The argument that they did relies on particular assumptions about the indirect evidence available, and it is equally possible to argue on the basis of the same evidence that they did not. It is very important to ask these questions, given that we have no actual source statement to show that hoplites ever formed human walls with overlapping shields. Can we imagine hoplites, with huge shields 90-110cm in diameter, adopting so tight a formation? If even well-drilled pikemen with small shields preferred open formations where each man had 180cm of room, and only adopted their very tight formation when they were stationary, can we assume untrained hoplites to form and maintain tight shield walls on the regular? No doubt the name comes from the fact that the pikeman's small shield, of about 45-60cm in diameter, would only touch that of his neighbour if the men were in this super-dense formation. The formation with 90cm interval, used for attacking, is called pyknosis ("dense formation") the formation with 45cm interval, used for receiving a charge, is called synaspismos ("shields together"). But Asklepiodotos actually says that the widest interval is 'the natural one', and that it therefore doesn't even have a name it is the tighter ones that need designations for special use. Given that the pike phalanx relied on closely packed pike points to be effective, we might expect that the last of these was the one most commonly used. Our main source, Asklepiodotos ( Tactics 4.1-3), lists 3 standard file intervals for the pike phalanx: 4 cubits (about 6ft/180cm), 2 cubits (about 3ft/90cm) and 1 cubit (about 1.5ft/45cm). If we don't hear about hoplite file intervals, it may well be because there was never any fixed standard.Įven if we want to include the evidence for the Macedonian pike phalanx, however, there are a couple of things relevant to your question. In addition, the precise intervals given for the pike phalanx relied on careful drill to be achieved and maintained, and hoplites did not generally go through any training of this kind. The weapons and shields used were very different. Many experts on Greek warfare have taken the distances mentioned for the pike phalanx and applied it uncritically to the hoplite phalanx, but this is clearly not halal. This has frustrated scholars for centuries, but it can't be helped the only evidence we have for file intervals is from later sources that specifically refer either to the Macedonian pike phalanx, or to the Roman manipular legion. Ready for the coming fight, Leonidas measures at 9.75 inch tall, 6 inch wide, with a depth of 6.25 inch with spear and shield at the ready, and stands on a 5 inch wide, 4 inch long base.We don't really know for sure, so the answer will have to be "maybe", although I personally lean towards "no".įirst of all, we have no source that explicitly tells us the file interval (the distance between warriors in a formation) for Classical Greek hoplites. Hand painted accents add a subtle dash of color to Leonidas' hoplite shield and helmet, giving each figure a unique battle worn finish. Made with a mixture of resin and bronze powder, this cold cast bronze figure captures the commanding presence of the warrior king in great detail. Stand strong with Spartan honor with this King Leonidas figure with shield and spear. SPARTAN DECOR - A Great Centerpiece or Accent for an Ancient Greek Themed Living Room, Bedroom, or Office.READY to LEAD - Leonidas Stands Ready with Spear In Hand and a Battle Scratched Shield.DETAILED FINISH - Hand Painted Accents on Leonidas's Shield, Sandles, and Helmet Add a Subtle Dash of Color to the Figurine.DURABLE CASTING - Solid Cast Resin with Bronze Powder For a Sturdy Statue that Captures the Battle Worn Look of the Warrior King.Leonidas' Cloak and Spear Give the Figure an Overall 6 Inch Wide by 6.25 Inch Depth Profile COMMANDING SIZE - Stands at 9.75 Inch High on a 5 Inch Wide by 4 Inch Long Base.