Rome army formations: The phalanx

Rome’s army formations developed over time and in accordance to different terrains and enemy types. The phalanx formation was highly developed by the Greeks in particular, involving heavy infantry closely packed – its weakness was breaking the formation open into smaller units. This could happen more easily with uneven terrains or when the formation had to move quickly and in more agile manner.

The Romans learned the Phalanx from the Etruscans but soon found a need for smaller more agile units.

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