Hoplite spacing and formation

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

At this point we have to mention that the vast majority of phalanxes in art have the shields shown like ©. Paul B suggests that this is because it is easier to depict them like that.This may be true in some early crude depictions of phalanx in black figure potery,but it doesn't excuse its use through the centuries by all sculptors and painters.
Also,as I've already said,the key is in the way of deployment.
First they formed a 16 deep phalanx in loose order and then the 8 rear came to the front. This is very difficult in (D) and (E),as the shields of the first 8 have to be already in battle position wile the rear come forward.Their shields would be a problem leaving no space for the rear hoplites' shields.
In ©,however, all the hoplites have their shields to the side until everybody is in position.Then the signal comes and the only they have to do,is bring their shield in dront of them.Given that they've taken position close enough to the hoplite in the right,their shields overlap as shown.
Paul B,in othismos they would stick their chest in the shield,exactly the same as in (D).The right sjowlder would be deeper in the bowl of the shield,and thus the shields are slightly to the side.
It is strange that up till now in the poll (d) wins.Even if I'm wrong for supporting ©, this is what art always shows (with very few exceptions) and thus this should be the most probable candidate for the poll.I think your original drawings have been misleading,as most people know the shields were overlapped and heard of the notion of the phalanx to push to the right. This notion has nothing to do with how the shields were overlapped.Or it has...only in © you are able to come closer to the man in the right and push him that way.
Khaire
Giannis