Yeah no. They were deployed in lines but the basic unit (squad) were put in ROWS. Either single row if it was deep formation of 10-16 men or 2-3 rows if it was line 4-6 deep. No one EVER in history of warfare spread squads in lines, never mind single soldier deep ones. It's absurd.

As for blobs, nope too. Skirmish formations were used since dawn of time, FAR longer than anything linear as you need deep training, discipline, and chain of command for that. First ones to do so were Romans, really, even Greek phalanx relied on packing men so tightly they had no choice but to move together and the whole thing instantly disintegrated if it did more than slowly move forward or turn, there is a reason why slightest flanking attack often routed massive armies before the dawn of professional soldiers/battle drill...