Arms and Armour

Ancient Macedonian army

The Macedonian army was the army of Macedon under the leadership of Philip II and Alexander the Great. Macedonian army became noted for its speed of movement and proficiency in combat as one of the most effective and successful armies in the ancient world during the Rise of Macedon under Philip II and the campaigns of Alexander. After gaining an ascendancy in Greece the army was instrumental in the conquest of large swathes of territory stretching from Egypt in the west to India in the east. Initially of little account in the Greek world, Macedon was widely regarded as a second-rate power before being made formidable by Philip II, whose son and successor, Alexander the Great, conquered the Achaemenid Empire in just over a decade. The latest innovations in weapons and tactics were adopted and refined by Philip, and he created a uniquely flexible and effective army. By introducing military service as a full-time occupation, Philip was able to drill his men regularly, ensuring unity and cohesion in his ranks. In a remarkably short time, this led to the development of one of what was among the world's finest military machines for the era. Tactical improvements included the latest developments in the deployment of the traditional Greek phalanx made by men like Epaminondas of Thebes and Iphicrates of Athens. Philip improved on these military innovators by using both Epaminondas' deeper phalanx and Iphicrates' combination of a longer spear and a smaller and lighter shield. However, the Macedonian king also innovated; he introduced the use of a much longer spear, the two-handed pike. The Macedonian pike, also known as the sarissa, gave its wielder many advantages both offensively and defensively. For the first time in Greek warfare, cavalry became a decisive arm in battle. The Macedonian army perfected the co-ordination of different troop types in an early example of combined arms tactics—the heavy infantry phalanx, skirmish infantry, archers, light cavalry and heavy cavalry, and siege engines were all deployed in battle; each troop type being used to its own particular advantage and creating a synergy of mutual support. Ancient Macedonians and other Greeks (especially Thessalian cavalry) and a wide range of mercenaries from across the Aegean and the Balkans were employed by Phillip.

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See also

• ▸Europa Pass Batteries
• ▸Dempsey Bob
• ▸Bar (heraldry)

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