[split] Phalanx warfare: use of the spear

[Dan Howard]

Your generalisation isn't really true. For example, as you are well aware from postings on other Forums, 'Buff' coats used by cavalry in the 17C were some 5 mm thick i.e. made from a single hide layer, and were considered perfectly adequate protection against swords and spent bullets, as I have posted on the other 'Phalanx' thread.

You don't need armour to stop sword cuts and spent bullets. A winter coat will stop sword cuts and spent bullets. Buff coats were not armour and were never intended to be used as such. They were designed as a replacement for their textile coats because leather is not susceptible to powder burns. Armour during the Civil War consisted of steel cuirasses.

If you were on a 'losing' side and having to run for your life, even after having discarded your shield, you are as good as dead.......
That too should be a factor in deciding how much protection you want, and may explain ( inter alia) the trend toward lighter equipment, including no body armour, in the 5c BC ( though it is likely that at no time did all hoplites wear body armour)

If a hoplite was worried about weight he would wear a bronze cuirass. It weighs significantly less than any armour made from cloth or leather. Why do you think they went to the trouble and expense of using metal?