08-22-2016, 08:19 PM
(08-22-2016, 08:03 PM)JaM Wrote: wait, so you say push would start only after shields are against each other?
btw my point was about different vectors, shield is not flat, opposing shield neither, so vector of your group pushing would apply at different place than vector of opposing force. (unless forces are perfectly synchronized with each file perfectly against each other)
Quote:Brian wrote: The rear rankers are almost never threatened and almost always the first to run, which is why both the Greeks and the Romans had officers stationed in the rear ranks or behind the formation. Rear rankers, unless given special status and higher rank, are never going to be part of the percentage of forces that are considered "quality." If you have eight men and have to assign them into a phalanx, the best will go in the front, where they are needed the most. The Greeks, especially the Macedonians, actually also started putting sub-officers in the rear ranks just to prevent what we are describing.
yes, but if they are just pushing, they are not endangered.. so they have no reason to start rout... if anybody would have that reason, it would be those men in front rank, not those in the rear...
The battle starts when the two sides make contact, either spear fencing or shield pushing or a mixture. Combat doesn't mean nonstop fighting, likely some lulls would occur where the two sides would break apart. But once full on othismos started the side that stops pushing will get pushed back by the side that does. Think Sparta at Leuctra. Not only is it demoralizing to get pushed back but during this their promachoi will also being taking more casualties (if they are too tired to push then they wont be able to defend themselves either).
The reason the rear rankers rout is that they are knowing their side is losing in the push and will lose the battle (at least from their perspective). They will know that those who survive the rout of a battle are those who are able to run away. They are in the best position to run away, all they are waiting for is that breaking point, when their courage breaks completely and they run. Stay and die, run and live, fight or flight, basic survival mindset under super stressful times when the pulse is at 180+ and the blood pressure is shooting through the roof. Besides those wounded who are unable to run fast enough, the ones in the rout who will be killed are likely to be those in the front ranks, who will not be able disengage directly without exposing their backs to their enemy's spears and swords. The rear rankers, unless they are officers who are specifically chosen not to run away (and even that doesn't always work), then the rear rankers are those who are going to break and run.
