another possible theory as to the birth of greek phalanx warfare stems from the idea that some of the basic aspects of the phalanx were present in earlier times yet were not fully developed due to the lack of appropriate technology. two of the basic strategies seen in earlier warfare include the principle of cohesion and the use of large groups of soldiers. this would suggest that the greek phalanx was rather the culmination and perfection of a slowly developed idea that originated many years earlier. as weaponry and armour advanced through the years in different city-states, the phalanx became complex and effective.