Hoplite
The Army of the Shield of Life' constant military drilling and discipline make them skilled at the style of fighting in a phalanx formation. In the phalanx, the army works as a unit in a close, deep formation, and make coordinated mass maneuvers. No one soldier is considered superior to another. Going into battle, a Shield soldier, or hoplite, wears a large steel helmet, breastplate and ankle guards, and carries a round shield made of steel and wood, a longspear and longsword. Shield warriors are also known for their long hair and red cloaks.
The military structure created by the Shields is a rectangular phalanx formation. The formation is organized from eight to ten rows deep and could cover a front of a quarter of a mile or more if sufficient hoplites are available. The psiloi throw javelins and fire arrows from behind their lines. The shields clash and the first lines (protostates) stab at their opponents, at the same time trying to keep in position. The ranks behind them would support them with their own spears and the mass of their shields gently pushing them, not to force them into the enemy formation but to keep them steady and in place. The soldiers in the back provide motivation to the ranks in the front being that most hoplites are close community members. At certain points, a command is given to the phalanx or a part thereof to collectively take a certain number of steps forward (ranging from half to multiple steps). This is the famed othismos. At this point, the phalanx puts its collective weight to push back the enemy line and thus create fear and panic among its ranks. There could be multiple such instances of attempts to push.
If a Shield flees, he could be forced to drop his cumbersome aspis, thereby disgracing himself to his friends and family (becoming a ripsaspis, one who threw his shield). To lessen the number of casualties inflicted by the enemy during battles, soldiers are positioned to stand shoulder to shoulder with their hoplon. The hoplites' most prominent citizens and generals led from the front.
Individual hoplites carry their shields on their left arm, protecting themselves and the soldier to the left. This means that the men at the extreme right of the phalanx were only half-protected. In battle, opposing phalanxes can exploit this weakness by attempting to overlap the enemy's right flank. It also means that, in battle, a phalanx tends to drift to the right (as hoplites seek to remain behind the shield of their neighbour). The most experienced hoplites are often placed on the right side of the phalanx, to counteract these problems.
The phalanx is an example of a military formation in which single combat and other individualistic forms of battle are suppressed for the good of the whole. In other combat formations, the words and deeds of supremely powerful heroes can turn the tide of battle. Instead of having individual heroes, hoplite warfare relies heavily on the community and unity of soldiers. With friends and family pushing on either side and enemies forming a solid wall of shields in front, the hoplite have little opportunity for feats of technique and weapon skill, but great need for commitment and mental toughness. By forming a human wall to provide a powerful defensive armour, the hoplites become much more effective while suffering fewer casualties. The hoplites have a lot of discipline and are taught to be loyal and trustworthy. They have to trust their neighbours for mutual protection, so a phalanx is only as strong as its weakest elements. Its effectiveness depends on how well the hoplites can maintain this formation in combat, and how well they can stand their ground. The more disciplined and courageous the army, the more likely it is to win.
The military structure created by the Shields is a rectangular phalanx formation. The formation is organized from eight to ten rows deep and could cover a front of a quarter of a mile or more if sufficient hoplites are available. The psiloi throw javelins and fire arrows from behind their lines. The shields clash and the first lines (protostates) stab at their opponents, at the same time trying to keep in position. The ranks behind them would support them with their own spears and the mass of their shields gently pushing them, not to force them into the enemy formation but to keep them steady and in place. The soldiers in the back provide motivation to the ranks in the front being that most hoplites are close community members. At certain points, a command is given to the phalanx or a part thereof to collectively take a certain number of steps forward (ranging from half to multiple steps). This is the famed othismos. At this point, the phalanx puts its collective weight to push back the enemy line and thus create fear and panic among its ranks. There could be multiple such instances of attempts to push.
If a Shield flees, he could be forced to drop his cumbersome aspis, thereby disgracing himself to his friends and family (becoming a ripsaspis, one who threw his shield). To lessen the number of casualties inflicted by the enemy during battles, soldiers are positioned to stand shoulder to shoulder with their hoplon. The hoplites' most prominent citizens and generals led from the front.
Individual hoplites carry their shields on their left arm, protecting themselves and the soldier to the left. This means that the men at the extreme right of the phalanx were only half-protected. In battle, opposing phalanxes can exploit this weakness by attempting to overlap the enemy's right flank. It also means that, in battle, a phalanx tends to drift to the right (as hoplites seek to remain behind the shield of their neighbour). The most experienced hoplites are often placed on the right side of the phalanx, to counteract these problems.
The phalanx is an example of a military formation in which single combat and other individualistic forms of battle are suppressed for the good of the whole. In other combat formations, the words and deeds of supremely powerful heroes can turn the tide of battle. Instead of having individual heroes, hoplite warfare relies heavily on the community and unity of soldiers. With friends and family pushing on either side and enemies forming a solid wall of shields in front, the hoplite have little opportunity for feats of technique and weapon skill, but great need for commitment and mental toughness. By forming a human wall to provide a powerful defensive armour, the hoplites become much more effective while suffering fewer casualties. The hoplites have a lot of discipline and are taught to be loyal and trustworthy. They have to trust their neighbours for mutual protection, so a phalanx is only as strong as its weakest elements. Its effectiveness depends on how well the hoplites can maintain this formation in combat, and how well they can stand their ground. The more disciplined and courageous the army, the more likely it is to win.
Type
Civic, Military, Not Commissioned
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