DBA Armies

This list covers the armies of Philip II and Alexander the Great from Philip’s reforms to Alexander’s Skythian campaign of 329 BC and those of the regent Antipatros from 334 BC to 319 BC. It includes the battles of Chaironeia, Granikos, Issos and Gaugamela. Alexander’s later armies appear in list II/15. The 3Kn element is the general leading companion lancers armed with the 12 foot xyston, Cv are Thessalian armoured cavalry with spears, LH are prodromoi with lance and Thracians or Paionians with javelins. None of these used shields. Macedonian “pezetairoi” phalangites were equipped with an 18 foot sarissa held in both hands, a round shield smaller than that of hoplites, helmet and greaves and are classed as Pk. Possibly only officers originally had body armour, others acquiring it from battlefield loot. The hypaspists seem to have been more mobile than the phalangites and are equated with the figures depicted on the Alexander sarcophagus at Sidon with hoplite shield, helmet, greaves and light body armour. They were not yet rearmed with pike, but carried longche (a dual-purpose throwing and thrusting spear), so are classed as 4Ax. The Ps are Agrianian javelinmen, Macedonian or Cretan archers and (possibly Rhodian) slingers. Philip II adopted artillery after a defeat by Phokis in 353 BC and Alexander used bolt-shooters in field battles against Skythians. References: Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars D. Head, Alexander the Great’s Campaigns P. Barker, Alexander the Great R. Lane Fox, Alexander at the World’s End T. Holt (novel).