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The Phalanx Formation and the Ideal of Collective Strength

Sarah Kimbrell • February 25, 2025

How Do You Show Up In Adversity?

Last week, we led with the quote "Adversity introduces a man to himself.". This quote brought up great discussion about the various types of adversity we experience, how we cope through adversity, and parts of our personalities that shine or get in the way when we are in the midst of adversity. Some people mentioned the tendency to want to avoid and run from it, to speak harshly to ourselves, or to just want to quickly get to the other side. This conversation posed the question - How do you "train" and  become well equipped in the face of adversity?


Welcome to a series on becoming well equipped for adversity!


Lets start with community being a necessary tool in your belt when face to face with adversity.


There is no better example of how community is the epitome of collective strength in adversity, that I could find, than the Spartan warriors implementing the Phalanx Formation.


The phalanx formation had already been around for some time before the Spartan Warriors decided to step it up a notch or 10. The Egyptians, Sumerians, and Assyrians were utilizing the formation in various ways, winning and losing, but never perfecting the tactic. The Spartans are said to have perfected the tactic when they implemented their superior training methods- making it into a disciplined, heavily armored infantry strategy, and one of the most feared battle formations of its time.


So what does this have to do with community? EVERYTHING! It has everything to do with community. Just hear me out.


The phalanx was a wall of shields and spears, where each soldier was shoulder to shoulder, relying on the person next to them for protection. Their massive shields overlap, creating an almost impenetrable barrier. No single warrior fought alone- victory depended on coordination, trust, and teamwork that occurred on AND off the battlefield.


A soldier in the phalanx didn't just fight for himself; he fought for the man beside him. The phalanx worked because every warrior understood that their strength was in their unity.


Their unity began way before the battlefield. Brotherhood and unity were ingrained in them from an early age. Loyalty to the group was considered more important than individual glory. No one was left behind because their survival depended on one another.


When we show up for one another on and off the battlefield, we create an unbreakable force that can withstand life's battles/adversities.


Let the phalanx remind us that resilience isn't just about individual toughness- it's about showing up for one another, with one another.


When the Spartans formed the phalanx- it was more than just a tactic for war- it was a representation of shared values of discipline, loyalty, and community.


If you show up for adversity with more than a tactic- with a community and strengthened resilience, your shields will overlap and become impenetrable, your spears will outnumber you obstacles, and your chances of success are greater than if you show up for battle alone.







Forged in Discipline: How Mongol Warriors Conquered Through Order and Precision

By Sarah Kimbrell • March 7, 2025
Discipline is the most reliable strategy in the face of adversity.

Are You A Control Freak

By Sarah Kimbrell • January 24, 2025
Do you find yourself unable to relax if your surroundings aren't just how you want them? Perhaps you feel a certain level of anxiety when the house isn't perfectly clean, or the weather isn't a perfect 70 and sunny, or you refuse to go to a certain place because the environment isn't consistently how you want it. If reading this has you feeling like you might relate, stay with me! Typically, this is noted as a codependency on an external locus of control as a result of lacking an internal locus of control. This means a person is codependent on their environment to make them feel regulated (controlling people, places, or things) because they can not regulate themselves internally (mentally and emotionally). So it sounds like this: "I couldn't get my groceries today because the grocery store was too busy and it was so hot outside today, so I stayed home and scrolled social media instead." Or: "He kept interrupting me so I lost my cool and went off on him. I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help it." Or maybe it even sounds like this: "Ah the weather was perfect today and I was so productive and in such a great mood." The goal is to be able to regulate yourself internally, regardless of any external factors, so that you're not easily sent into spiraling excuses of why your external factors are stopping you from living your best life. Reach out to The Wellness Armory if you're interested in learning more about the practice of self regulation. support@thewellnessarmory. org
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