A Phalanx thread\'s link

[M.ilionario]

Here is a thread at Total War Center about the differences between a Macedonian and a Greek phalanx and the advantages of each over the other.

Take a look there and enlighten us.
[size=150:15nxnk2m]If you don't want to register in the forum write here and I'll post it there.[/size]

[hoplite14gr]

Francisco,
The pike was known from the Bronze Age. (Akrotiri Fresko)
PhilipII a follower of the Trophonios Mysteries brought it back to life.
The Mysteries was a way to preserve ancient knowledge at these times.
The thought is simple. Only the fisrt 2 ranks of the south Greek falanx can engage. By increasing the length of the spear and making it a pike you can also increase the number of ranks that will engage. 4 to 5 at the time of Philip or Alexander-more possibly at the Hellenistic Era.
So on good ground and roughly equal frontage the the spearmen cannot hold their own versus pikemen. Its simple, brutal and effective!
The only way to beat such a formation is to roll the flank.
In gaming forums lots of young enthousiastic lads make lots of claims but the truth is simpler.
Kind regards

[M.ilionario]

OK, I'll post that (except the introduction and conclusion of course) :wink: