the new type of shield adopted in the late eighth century,

那就是八世纪晚期出现的新型盾
unlike its predecessors,

与以往的盾不同
could be used effectively only in an extremely close and rigid formation.

新型盾只能有效地用于极其密集牢固的方阵
Double grip shields thus presupposed

因此双握柄的盾牌预示了
or imposed an extremely dense formation.

或揭示了一种极为密集的阵型
The tacit assumption is that hoplites stood frontally opposed

前提假设就是重装步兵
to their enemies like wrestlers,

像摔跤手一样与敌人正面对峙
rather than sideways on, like fencers,

不像击剑手侧身迎敌
holding their shields parallel to their bodies,

将盾牌竖与身前
but artistic representations show

但是从艺术品中的表现来看
that this is not how hoplites fought."

重装步兵不是这样战斗的"
I would say that the crux,

其症结所在