05-04-2010, 05:00 PM
Quote:It seems that hoplites with othismos were like prize-fighters possessed of a terrific right cross
That's a great analogy. For those who are just reading this theory for the first time, the factor that enables that "right cross" in the aspis. When held across the front of the body, it prevents you from getting crushed- specifically your diapgragm- which leads to asphyxiation and death in crowd disasters. This explains its odd bowl shape. Many other armies have found themselves in situation where pushing occured- the Romans "pushed' at Zama for instance and later at Strausbourg (with the knee!). The difference is that they could only withstand a limited amount of force for a short duration before they would push back against their own men in a fight for breath.
Hoplites behind their shields could sustain high pressure for a long time and survive much higher peak pressures. To switch from sports to comedy for analogies, hoplites could go to "11".
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
