The "Fred thread": the Argead Macedonian Army

[Paralus]

In fact, I believe that variations on this three-part sequential exercise of combined arms (light foot screening first and then a cavalry charge on the flanks, followed by advance of the heavy foot to finish claiming the field) was the method used not only here (where it is best described in our sources) but also in numerous of Philip's victories over Thracian and similar tribal armies for which we, sadly, have no detailed description. - Regards, Fred

The problen is that it isn't described here (the Danube). It is, though, described in every other action of this campaign where Arrian has much to say about the actions of the light troops (paricularly archers) against the "independent Thracians", the Triballians and the campaigns to follow against Glaucias and Thebes. Strange, in the extreme, that he is utterly silent about them when describing the force that Alexander managed to get across the Danube. I'd continue to argue that is because they weren't there.