The phalanx was a formation of warriors 16-deep where the three front ranks' pikes provided a mass of points which attackers would impale themselves. The other ranks rested their pikes on the shoulders in front and these helped to deflect missiles. Cavalry on the flanks attacked any attempt to outflank the phalanx, and light infantry provided a link between the cavalry and the phalanx.
The battle formation of the ancient Greeks called the phalanx was adopted by Alexander the great. Although this formation was constructed in several ways by Alexander as battle fields differed, there is still the basic formation that can be described as this:
* The infantry soldiers were armed with spears and shields; and
* The classic formation consisted of sixteen rows of sixteen men each forming a square.
Alexander preferred heavily armed soldiers in his basic phalanx. And, their formations could be altered based on battle field conditions and also how his cavalry would attack. Generally, the infantry held the middle of his lines and his cavalry would attack the enemy's flanks. All of this however is "textbook " Alexander the Great operations. He was flexible always.
Phalanx Formation
A massed fighting formation of armoured infantry.
The phalanx was invented by the ancient Greeks, but is seen most when Alexander The Great was in power. Alexander improved the phalanx by adding the pike (an 18 foot spear) to it increasing its effectiveness in battle.
The hoplites fought in the phalanx formation.
Flat land allowed it to keep close formation and change its frontal direction easily, however that also favoured enemy cavalry, so the phalanx needed its own cavalry support to protect it, and also th stop enemy light infantry from attacking from all sides.
Phalanx: A formation of infantry carrying overlapping sheilds and long spears, developed by the spartans, perfected by Philip the Second and used by Alexander the Great.
Phalanx Formation
A phalanx was a military formation of packed ranks of infantry locked into formation with spears providing offensive and defensive capability, and shields providing lateral and overhead protection.
the battle formation that ancient Greece used was called the phalanx formation.
A massed fighting formation of armoured infantry.
The phalanx was invented by the ancient Greeks, but is seen most when Alexander The Great was in power. Alexander improved the phalanx by adding the pike (an 18 foot spear) to it increasing its effectiveness in battle.
Phalanx
Their battle formation - the phalanx was a massed formation which broke less cohesive ranks. Their spears were twice as long as other Greek spears which added to the phalanx's power.
The hoplites fought in the phalanx formation.
Phalanx
Flat land allowed it to keep close formation and change its frontal direction easily, however that also favoured enemy cavalry, so the phalanx needed its own cavalry support to protect it, and also th stop enemy light infantry from attacking from all sides.
Ancient Rome had originally fought as part of a phalanx similar to the Greek version. A evolution of change began when the Roams found out at the River Allia, this formation could be subject to an envelope tactic which enabled the attackers to penetrate the Roman flanks. In time the phalanx was therefore discarded into the legion.