That's what I thought.
Since the Romans did evolve off the Spartan form of warfare (not to mention improve the phalanx and hop-like warfare in general) I always thought that the Mandalorians were like the next step in evolution, leading them to be what they are today. I just saw more Roman characteristics in the Mandalorians than simply a specific profession society. When Mandalore gives his little speech and such, you can see the "camera" panning over the various other jobs. They have technicians, etc.
I just see them as Romans, IMO. But I just like reading this thread. It's very interesting.
QFE
Anyways, the Romans had completely different formations to the phalanx, considering that the Romans lacked in spears in the early years and were based on cohorts consisting of swords and javelin based combat. The Phalanx was spears and only spears with the first 3-4 rows of men with their spears out horizontially, and the next row just higher.. and so on so it formed like a porcupine. Anyways to think off the top of my head one of the Roman formations without acctually researching it, because its late and I cbf, the Testudo was nothing like the Phalanx.
Considering that the Spartans played their role about 500-200 years before the Romans, and the Romans were believed to been decendants from those at ancient Troy, not Sparta.
Everyone now is like ZOMG SPARTANS I WANA 6 PACK AND PWN SOME PERSIANS COS I SAW 300! LAWL!!11one
Edit: Anyways, Mustipicon? (I certainly do hope I spelt his name right, or ill be put to shame) pwns you all with his ancient history knowledge, ah yes good old Rome Total War
ps. I got a leet Spartan skin mod so they dont just have those lousy red robes
You really should download Rome Total Realism Mod - pure blast to play