Tu Quoque Philippi Eannatum’s Phalanx

The Stele of the Vultures displays Eannatum of Lagash fighting at the head of his phalanx, mostly composed of pikemen and shield-bearers. This formation requires a basic training for managers and soldiers, based on a particular conception of a group combat formation. This paper will investigate some issues in this concern and propose a theoretical, hypothetical and possible drill program that the warriors from Lagash could have followed to fight in such a way, and its possible similarities with the sarrissophoroi of Philip II of Macedony.