What is Phalanx formation?
The '''phalanx formation ''' is an [[Ancient Greek]] term for a block-like [[infantry]] formation.<ref>Ancient Greek: φάλαγξ, Modern Greek: φάλαγγα, phālanga; plural '''phalanxes''' or '''phalanges'''; Ancient and Modern Greek: φάλαγγες, phālanges. The word phalanx is taken from the Greek word meaning finger.</ref> The Greek [[hoplites]] (heavy infantry) were armed with [[spear]]s, swords, or similar [[weapon]]s. The mass of infantry marched forward as one entity against opponents. The system was used by [[city states]], who often fought each other. [[Cavalry]] were rare, partly because horses were a scarce [[resource]], and partly because the lack of space on [[valley]] floors in the [[Peloponnese]] left little room for cavalry [[wikt:manoeuvre|manoeuvres]]. Later, the [[Macedonian phalanx]] was always supported by cavalry in the conquests of [[Alexander the Great]]. ==Tactics== [[File:Leuctra.svg|thumb|right|Top: simplified schematic of traditional [[hoplite]] [[order of battle]] and advance (elite troops in red).<br /> Bottom: the [[oblique order|diagonal phalanx]] utilised by the [[Thebes, Greece|Thebans]] under Epaminondas. The strong left wing advanced while the weak right wing retreated or remained stationary]] [[File:Battle of Leuctra, 371 BC - Decisive action.png|thumb|Dispositions during the [[Battle of Leuctra]], 371 BC.]] Early battles with the phalanx usually resulted in similar formations pushing against each other until one broke. The potential of the phalanx to do more was shown at the [[Battle of Marathon]] (490 BC). Facing the huge army of [[Darius I]], the Athenians thinned out their phalanx and lengthened their front to avoid being [[Flanking maneuver|outflanked]]. However, even a reduced-depth phalanx proved unstoppable to the lightly armed Persian infantry. After routing the Persian wings, the hoplites on the Athenian wings wheeled inwards, destroying the elite troop at the Persian centre. This was a crushing victory for Athens. Throughout the [[Greco-Persian Wars]] the hoplite phalanx con