Phalanx warfare: Closing of the ranks

[Dan Howard]

I'm inclined to agree with Van Wees. I spent a lot of time researching my book and came to the conclusion that Aegean infantry was fighting in phalanx-like formations by the end of the Bronze Age. It makes more sense if the chronology is revised to get rid of the fictitious "Dark Age". I haven't formed an opinion about the othismos.

Keep in mind that formations can open and close. The Romans fought with their swords in more open order when on the offensive but closed ranks and used their pila as thrusting spears when on the defensive.