Empirical testing of hoplite performance

[immortal]

It’s worth pointing out that the Hoplites in your diagrams would not stand like that. One push on the shield and they would fall over backwards.
Pretty much every soldier throughout history that uses a large shield stands in what is called a 'T' stance. Left foot forwards and right foot back, with the left hand side of your body facing the enemy. This is a very stable stance, reduces your body area as a target and moves your vital areas away from the enemy.

I don’t know how relevant this test would be, unless you get a large number of people who have lived in the conditions that a Greek would have for an extended period of time. Modern man would be quite unfit compared to the average hoplite!