Alexander's army
- 2. Macedonian Army Battle Tactics Thessalian cavalry to stop enemy outflanking Macedonian Phalanx used as a holding force Hypaspists used to keep contact between Phalanx and Companion cavalry Companion cavalry used to deliver the main blow Light troops and cavalry to stop enemy outflanking Light Troops CAVALRY CAVALRY GREEK INFANTRY IN NORMAL FORMATION
- 3. The Phalanx Used as a brute-force breakthrough formation. Philip made the Phalanx a versatile weapon, with the ability to advance, hold and retreat in good order. It was primarily used as a holding force while the Companion cavalry delivered the main blow against the enemy.
- 4. Each man held a 6.5 metre-long pike or sarissa with both hands, wore a Cuirass or breastplate, and wore a shield around his neck.
- 5. The men in the front five ranks would hold their sarissas out in front. The ranks behind would hold their sarissas in the air to break the flight of arrows and other missiles. If the phalanx broke formation the battle was effectively lost, so discipline was essential.
- 6. In open order, each man occupied an area of 1.8m ² . As the phalanx advanced the men would close ranks until each occupied around 1m ². If a defensive formation was required the men would lock shields and move closer until the men occupied 50cm².
- 7. The Macedonian phalanx was made up of 64 battalions of 256 men. (16,384 men) The phalanx could maneouvre into many different formations, but the most common were: Straight Oblique Open half square Crescent Open wedge
- 8. The Hypaspists The Hypaspists were an elite infantry unit, distinct from the phalanx. They were similarly armed, but had shorter sarissas and lighter armour. They were more versatile and more highly trained than the phalanx. They were usually deployed between the phalanx and the Companion cavalry in order to hold the Macedonian line together.
- 10. The Companion cavalry were the elite troops of the Macedonian army. Highly trained, they were able to change to attack in any formation, though the most common was the wedge. I C B I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I B I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I A A = Unit Commander B = Wing Commander C = Rearguard Commander
- 11. Consisting of 8 squadrons, almost exclusively made up of Macedonian nobles, they charged at the enemy lines in order to drive home a concentrated punch designed to break a hole in the enemy formation. The commander of the Companions, usually Alexander, who led his Royal Squadron, led from the front of the wedge. These men carried a 12 foot sarissa, and were heavily armoured, each wearing a metal helmet, a bronze Corselet (body armour) and bronze Greaves (shin armour).
- 12. Other Troops At different times Alexander used Greek allied troops and the local peoples he conquered in his armies. These men all had different areas of specialism, but they were usually lightly armed infantry, light cavalry or archers. Alexander also used the Thessalian cavalry. They were usually deployed on the left of the phalanx, and were the best heavy cavalry in the world.
- 13. Thracian Peltast These men used bow and arrow, slings, and light javelin. They were lightly armed and able to evade the charge of the heavy cavalry. Scythian Archer