specifics in Spear fighting combat

[Paullus Scipio]

Judging by the sources we have, "the Phalanx "was formed as a single body, even when made uo of sub-units, and once formed not capable of much other than movement forward or back ( Spartans excepted! )

With regard to movement, it should be borne in mind that the phalanx usually marched to the battlefield in Column, and then turned 90 degrees to form line. After that they most probably manouevred in 'open order' ( 6' or so frontage per man), closing up into 'close order' ( 3 ' frontage per man) by means of the rear ranks closing up into the intervals.This was carried out just before the Charge/clash.......some 50-100 yards apart......

Thus large bodies of men could be least disrupted on reasonably level ground. There were exceptions of course - for example, Xenophon, attacking a steep hill defended by tribal peltasts, has his Hoplites attack in a number of small columns.....