New hoplite book

[PMBardunias]

Sword: The only way we have found to be able to use all types of swords in synaspismos is this:

I have come to this conclusion as well. Luckily, we have many images of hoplites using the sword in just this manner. It has been referred to as the "Harmodios strike" after famous statues of that event. I've written on it here:

http://hollow-lakedaimon.blogspot.com/2 ... -blow.html

Note two things from your image: The front ranks cannot hit this man with their dorys. Once he is within range they must switch to swords or hope that the men behind them can protect them. Were I right now to have to fight in a hoplite phalanx, I would drop my spear and move in like this because I cannot compete in doratismos with highly trained men. This may be what happened in history, the othismos may have grown out of a need for lesser trained men to close in on the highly trained retainers of Tyrants for example. As Xenophon makes clear, anyone can wield a sword in close like this.

Also, the sword can be brought around the head in a variety of strikes that we see on vases. These positions can be effective wards as well as strikes.