02-13-2008, 08:28 PM
Quote:We need to know how common and how general a phrase "βαρέων ὅπλων " is in Polybios' usage to be sure he is not simply using a general term to refer to both groups as heavy. I can't help with that.
There is a problem with your interpretation though. The Macedonian phalanx is on the west side of the river and needs the king's protection to cross. I don't see how it could be this body of troops that the Spartans feared. In fact it surely was their plan that any attack on the spartan outpost on Meneleon would leave the enemy flank open to attack. Phillip removes the threat of the troops on the Meneleon Before he moves the phalanx across the river, under his protection.
That the peltasts were more mobile is obvious, that they were light troops is not. Elite units can be fast and not light- the Theban sacred band was was light on their feet (no double-entendre intended).
However Polybius says that "Philip, leaving the Illyrians in occupation of the hills, returned to his army with his Euzonoi and peltasts" and he recrossed the river to give cover to the phalanx of Aratus from the forces inside the city, so I guess his main force had crossed before and was coming to the support of the Peltasts, and that was why the Lacedemonians, seeing them coming, run.
I don´t quite understand your differenciation between mobile and light, in military history light infantry is mobile because it fights in open formation.
AKA Inaki
