The Makedonian phalanx -- why such depth?

[Paralus]

It is well described in the manuals, but since we are here discussing Greek Hoplites, there are a number of references to 'normal/open' and 'close' order in Xenophon...

And Xenophon has exactly what to do with the Macedonian phalanx? What exactly does supposed Archaic and "classical" hoplite "drill" have to do with the Macedonian phalanx? This being a phalanx that the sources clearly differentiate from the classical city state phalanx.

It is clear, to me at least, that the "Macedonian phalanx" was a different critter from the city state hoplite muster. You, though, insist on equating the two. Worse, you aduce Xenophon's fiction of the "Cyropaedia" - Asians as Greeks...well at least the "good" Asians.

The bottom line here is that we have a clear description of the effect of a Macedonian phalanx "when sixteen deep" that you insist on being rendered as eight.

I fail to to see it still. Your demands - from others - for a wholistic "hypothesis" explaining all ancient sources, which are most unforthcoming, is no ipso-facto substantiation of your own flawed hypothesis based on stretched, scant evidence.