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[split] Phalanx warfare: use of the spear
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not just guess. Usually military formations  must be simple and possible to adapt in heat of battle, with full panoply. You can take some  men, dress them in full panoply and make them adapt those formation and observe what worked and what would not. Of course they would not be as fast or effective as soldiers who did this in ancient times, but if something is just not possible today, it was very much not possible also back then, because human physiology is the same.. our arms elbows, knees work the same way as back then, and if something is just too fatiguing today, it would be a problem back then as well.

This is for example why Chris Matthew theory about spear underarm use makes sense.. overhead use in tight formation would not even allow to put the spear into such position, or putting it back into marching/horizontal position.  (besides, whole idea that you would use 3m long spear holding it in the middle, and not benefit from its length kinda silly.. because in that case, you would be much better with lighter and shorter spear, something similar to what Zullu used, or even shortsword...)  (but of course i don't want to hijack this thread with this, and will delete it if its considered offtopic)
Jaroslav Jakubov
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[split] Phalanx warfare: use of the spear - by JaM - 08-10-2016, 08:26 AM

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