Close Order Drill → ἄσκησις κατὰ τάξιν πυκνήν

[ChaceofSpades]

I know that western discipline came from Sparta and they often drilled, but what was their word for it? Attic will do fine as well, thanks.

[billberg23]

The adjective for "in close order" is πυκνός, while ἄσκησις is "drill;"  so ἄσκησις κατὰ τάξιν πυκνήν might fill the bill.

[ChaceofSpades]

Do you think they referred to it simply as drill?

I know the term "close order drill" is used in the US Marine Corps, but I'm not sure of it's usage outside.

[billberg23]

Do you think they referred to it simply as drill?

Well, they may have.  Xenophon refers in the Cyropedia to πολεμικὴ ἄσκησις,"military drill."  On the other hand, Arrian (Tactica) definitely uses πυκνός in connection with military formations.

[ChaceofSpades]

Was Arrian's Tactica the same subject matter as Aelianus Tacticus (meaning macedonian drill and tactics)? Because I cannot seem to find Aelianus Tacticus anywhere (at least one in a nearby library or that's buyable).

[billberg23]

I don't have access to either author.  The Tactica was presumably based on Arrian's own experience as commander of Roman legions on the Cappadocian frontier with Armenia — an unusually high command for a Greek to hold.  (See Arrian in Wikipedia.)