I think your description of the use of the phalanx with cavalry is apt for the Macedonian and Alexander periods but less so for the early Greeks. The Spartans, for example, used it without cavalry for the most part, as did most other City States from its origins through the Hellenic wars with Persia. Thus at Marathon, only the Persians had cavalry but it proved ineffective at preventing the Athenian hoplites from penetrating and routing the main Persian infantry line. Again at Plataea, the Persians effort to take advantage of their cavalry and superior numbers was thwarted by the determined resistance of Spartan and Athenian phalanxes. Of course the nature and use of phalanx was modified substantially by Philip of Macedonia by the substitution of the much longer sarissa’ spear (eighteen feet), much smaller shields and coordination with cavalry. Interestingly, the phalanx was also used by the Romans in the early Republic period before they transitioned to their classic three line formations that effectively conquered the known world.
Greek Military History
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, Aug 03 2015 11:17 PM
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Post #22
Larry_B
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Posted 09 November 2015 - 03:44 PM
The Roman three line formations were called acies triplex
Larry
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Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
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- to live in truth - to have faith - to choose service to others - to give proof of humility
- to love justice - to be merciful - to be sincere and wholehearted - to stand for principles of love and service
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
(a.k.a. - Knights Hospitaller)
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