Alexander Mosaic from Pompeii

[hoplite14gr]

Uwe,
In my opinion Dareios after Issos would be more open to suggestions to arm his infantry with better close combat weapons. The question would be training and determination. We only know for sure of Persian spear levies in the Sassanide army that always broke and fled. But your opinion on Alexander´s charge and leaving his footmen behind is valid.
M. Andronicos in his book quates Plutarchos and Kallisthenis about the neck guard being sign of officers and not just protection. Phlip's tomp would have been sealed after his death and would not be opened so the neck guard would be his. So Alex would use his own neckguard I guess.
Kind regards