Which army would win in battle, a Roman legion or a Hoplite phalanx?

Answer 1

Prep time and leadership would decide. If the Roman general were over confident and under prepared, a phalanx could prove far more than troublesome.

If the Roman general chose their ground wisely, surrounded the phalanx, and starved them, it would take a week or so but the phalanx wouldn't really be that effective, regardless of how firm they held their shields.