I did say, "on the whole." I was specifically thinking of the idea that large formations being idiocy after the invention of gunpowder. Brett Devereaux's 4-pa

I did say, "on the whole." I was specifically thinking of the idea that large formations being idiocy after the invention of gunpowder. Brett Devereaux's 4-part series "The Universal Warrior" had an excellent discussion of why a unit of soldiers might fight in large formation. https://acoup.blog/2021/02/12/collections-the-universal-warrior-part-iib-a-soldiers-lot/ https://acoup.blog/2021/02/12/collections-the-universal-warr... He's verbose, but thoroughly enjoyable.