Pike length - ECW

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

All those weedy English farm labourers and apprentices would have been shocked to learn that the Ancient Greeks were made of far sterner stuff. Spare a thought for the Successor phalangites then, their pikes were in 2 sections and said to be up to 21feet long at their maximum!

[Leman (Andy)]

I recall a scene in Alexander where, at the start of battle the Phalangites quiver their pikes to create a sound to terrify the Persians. I suppose this was along the same lines as Zulus banging their shields.

Andy

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Just the advancing and levelling pikes in unison was enough to scare most opponents. I'm not sure if the pike rattle noise was accurate but since Robin Lane Fox (Alexander's formost biographer) was historical and technical advisor it was probably an accurate touch.