Ancient Warfare Podcast · The History Network

How Did the Greek Phalanx Keep Its Line?

October 24, 2025·14 min·1 clip

Murray calculates that 9,000 Athenian hoplites at Marathon formed a line only 1 kilometer wide, defying epic movie portrayals.

Murray explores how Greek hoplite phalanxes maintained cohesive lines during advances, using historical sources to calculate formation widths and depths. He explains that smaller unit sizes and quiet battlefields allowed effective command, debunking cinematic portrayals of chaotic charges.

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