10-21-2008, 04:52 PM
Arrian tells us that Alexander was experimenting with a mixed phalanx of both sarissa and missile troops before his death (Anabasis 7.23.3)
This concept had previously been espoused by Xenophon in his fanciful Cyropaedia, where he had 2 ranks of hoplites backed by missile troops.
Since it appears to be generally accepted that macedonian infantry could be alternately armed with either with the sarissa or a brace of javelins, is there any evidence that different ranks of the phalanx were thus alterntely armed at the same time to form a mixed phalanx prior to (or after) alexander's experiment?
As an aside I think it is interesting that onlt 3 ranks are sarissaphoroi in Alex's scheme. This implies to me that the sarissa length in his phalanx was such that only 3 ranks could functionally bring their weapons to bear at once, or were seen as needing to, as opposed to the 5 ranks polybios describes.
Quote:He distributed these foreign soldiers among the Macedonian ranks in the following way. Each company was led by a Macedonian decurion, and next to him was a Macedonian receiving double pay for distinguished valour; and then came one who received ten staters (monthly), who was so named from the pay he received, being somewhat less than that received by the man with double pay, but more than that of the men who were serving as soldiers without holding a position of honour. Next to these came twelve Persians, and last in the company another Macedonian, who also received the pay of ten staters; so that in each company there were twelve Persians and four Macedonians, three of whom received higher pay, and the fourth was in command of the company. The Macedonians were armed in their hereditary manner; but of the Persians some were archers, while others had javelins furnished with straps, by which they were held.
This concept had previously been espoused by Xenophon in his fanciful Cyropaedia, where he had 2 ranks of hoplites backed by missile troops.
Since it appears to be generally accepted that macedonian infantry could be alternately armed with either with the sarissa or a brace of javelins, is there any evidence that different ranks of the phalanx were thus alterntely armed at the same time to form a mixed phalanx prior to (or after) alexander's experiment?
As an aside I think it is interesting that onlt 3 ranks are sarissaphoroi in Alex's scheme. This implies to me that the sarissa length in his phalanx was such that only 3 ranks could functionally bring their weapons to bear at once, or were seen as needing to, as opposed to the 5 ranks polybios describes.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
