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PHALANX

Volume 17 · 57 words · 1860 Edition

in Greek military organization, a close, compact mass of infantry drawn up in files, usually of eight deep (Thuc. v. 68); but he depth was increased by the Thebans to twenty-five (Thuc. iv. 93). The pla- Phalaris was subsequently brought to perfection by Philip of Macedon. But for further details of this celebrated military formation, see Army.