DBA Armies

This list covers the armies of Macedonian Egypt from the death of Alexander the Great until the deaths of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. The kingdom was founded by one of Alexander’s generals, who hijacked Alexander’s body as it was being taken back to Macedonia and ruled from Alexandria as Ptolemy I, becoming one of the leading contenders in the wars of the Successors. Most succeeding rulers were called Ptolemy or (if female) Cleopatra, who incestuously married and murdered each other. The Cleopatras were prettier, equally ruthless and usually more competent. Since the kingdom was exceptionally wealthy, it was a constant temptation for its neighbours. The army was mostly composed of military settlers and mercenaries. The native Egyptian former warrior class was distrusted, but in emergency provided an extra phalanx. Cretan and Pisidian peltasts were javelin skirmishers with small round shields. Tarentines were Italian-style light horse with javelins and shield. African elephants of the small forest species were tamed when the supply of Indian elephants was blocked by the Seleucids. The navy was well thought-of, but depended on foreign timber requiring interventions abroad to maintain supply. It has been suggested that after Pydna in 168 BC, some troops were equipped as “imitation legionaries” but few contemporary depictions show armour and none show pila or gladius, so they probably depict thureophoroi or (if armoured) thorakitai. Caesar reported that in his day the army largely comprised brigands and ex-pirates from Kilikia and Syria, exiles and runaway slaves, but the Gabinian legionaries left behind by a previous Roman expedition had once been good troops. References: Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars D. Head, The Wars of Alexander’s Successors Vols 1 & 2 B. Bennett & M. Roberts, The Ptolemaic Army N. Sekunda, Funeral Games M. Renault (novel), The Cleopatras P.Mackie (novel).