10-28-2007, 09:39 AM
Hi Paul/Paullus and thanks for the welcome.
Yes the Argyraspids were the hypaspists and, though some would argue the toss, that remains my opinion. There is little doubt that they were rewarded with the silver as the king's infantry Guards unit.
Again, I wouldn't become overly concerned with the pelte/aspis argument. These blokes knew well the sarissa and its use. The hypaspist court guard carried such - a rather odd thing but there you go. As well, the Argyraspids are well attested operating in phalanx warfare under Eumenes both at Paraetecene and Gabiene. It is my view that, all other things being equal, the hypaspists fought the formal pitched battles (Gaugamela for example) armed as were the taxies of the phalanx. They may well have worn a cuirass. Outside of these engagements they almost certainly were deployed in a version of the hoplite panoply – particularly ascending scaling ladders etc.
As to their age, it is not only Plutarch who mentions it but Diodorus as well. This from the same source Hieronymus of Cardia. Hieronymus, whilst having his colour to apply, had no reason to exaggerate the age or actions of the Argyraspids under Eumenes’ command. After all, his description of them taking to his long term patron’s (Antigonus) phalanx is hardly likely to ingratiate him.
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Justin makes the statement that Alexander’s invasion army was hardly in the flower of it’s youth as he took experienced men who were “masters in warâ€
Yes the Argyraspids were the hypaspists and, though some would argue the toss, that remains my opinion. There is little doubt that they were rewarded with the silver as the king's infantry Guards unit.
Again, I wouldn't become overly concerned with the pelte/aspis argument. These blokes knew well the sarissa and its use. The hypaspist court guard carried such - a rather odd thing but there you go. As well, the Argyraspids are well attested operating in phalanx warfare under Eumenes both at Paraetecene and Gabiene. It is my view that, all other things being equal, the hypaspists fought the formal pitched battles (Gaugamela for example) armed as were the taxies of the phalanx. They may well have worn a cuirass. Outside of these engagements they almost certainly were deployed in a version of the hoplite panoply – particularly ascending scaling ladders etc.
As to their age, it is not only Plutarch who mentions it but Diodorus as well. This from the same source Hieronymus of Cardia. Hieronymus, whilst having his colour to apply, had no reason to exaggerate the age or actions of the Argyraspids under Eumenes’ command. After all, his description of them taking to his long term patron’s (Antigonus) phalanx is hardly likely to ingratiate him.
.
Justin makes the statement that Alexander’s invasion army was hardly in the flower of it’s youth as he took experienced men who were “masters in warâ€
Paralus|Michael Park
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
