10-29-2007, 07:50 AM
The danger of opening myself to "hit on the head lessons" notwithstanding...
Plut. Eum. 14.2-5
Mind you, as with many things, it may all be in the translation. The Argyraspids are the only attested Macedonian infantry in Eumenes' army. At Gabiene Antigonus essentially repeated his Paraetecene line. He was some 6,000 infantry short of his numbers there. If the Argyraspids engaged the Macedonian sarissa armed infantry with an eight foot dory, they will have been at a distinct disadvantage. That seems not the case with Diodorus stating that they "in close order, fell heavily upon" the Antigonid phalanx. Armed as a hoplite, the first thing they will have fallen heavily upon was a murderous leaf shaped blade some fifty centimetres long. Ouch!
Were it the Diadoch Cup on the Isfahan track, I'd be looking for a rails bookie betting on a sarissa-armed Silver Shields.
Plut. Eum. 14.2-5
Quote:But it was most particularly when Eumenes was sick that the Macedonians let it be seen how in their judgment, while others could feast them handsomely and make entertainments, he alone knew how to fight and lead an army. For Peucestes, having made a splendid entertainment in Persia, and given each of the soldiers a sheep to sacrifice with, made himself sure of being commander-in-chief. Some few days after the army was to march, and Eumenes having been dangerously ill was carried in a litter apart from the body of the army, that any rest he got might not be disturbed. But when they were a little advanced, unexpectedly they had a view of the enemy, who had passed the hills that lay between them, and was marching down into the plain. At the sight of the golden armour glittering in the sun as they marched down in their order, the elephants with their castles on their backs, and the men in their purple, as their manner was when they were going to give battle, the front stopped their march, and called out for Eumenes, for they would not advance a step but under his conduct; and fixing their arms in the ground gave the word among themselves to stand, requiring their officers also not to stir or engage or hazard themselves without Eumenes. News of this being brought to Eumenes, he hastened those that carried his litter, and drawing back the curtains on both sides, joyfully put forth his right hand. As soon as the soldiers saw him they saluted him in their Macedonian dialect, and took up their shields, and striking them with their pikes, gave a great shout; inviting the enemy to come on, for now they had a leader.
Mind you, as with many things, it may all be in the translation. The Argyraspids are the only attested Macedonian infantry in Eumenes' army. At Gabiene Antigonus essentially repeated his Paraetecene line. He was some 6,000 infantry short of his numbers there. If the Argyraspids engaged the Macedonian sarissa armed infantry with an eight foot dory, they will have been at a distinct disadvantage. That seems not the case with Diodorus stating that they "in close order, fell heavily upon" the Antigonid phalanx. Armed as a hoplite, the first thing they will have fallen heavily upon was a murderous leaf shaped blade some fifty centimetres long. Ouch!
Were it the Diadoch Cup on the Isfahan track, I'd be looking for a rails bookie betting on a sarissa-armed Silver Shields.
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
