Macedonian Silver Shields

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Sean said:-

There is also a theory that the Silver Shields and Bronze Shields were 8,000 man halves of Alexander's phalanx. I really wish more 3rd century soruces had survived so we could resolve these debates!

...I'm afraid that theory can only have arisen from flawed reading of the sources, which are really quite clear. The Hypaspists gain the nickname 'argyraspides' from the decorated replacement gear Alexander hands out before India ( see other threads).Gabiene is an indecisive battle, but Antigonus has the presence of mind to send a force to capture the 'silvershields' camp, which contains their wives families and the treasure of 15 years or so of looting their way across Asia. They take about 5 minutes to decide to switch sides and hand over Eumenes for execution in exchange for their 'stuff' back. Antigonus despises them for their treachery and hates them for their 'kingmaking' propensities. Their general Antigenes is executed by being put in a pit and burned alive.He then has them sent far,far away where they are given all the dangerous jobs so they dwindle rapidly ( or retire ?)Unsurprisingly, there are no more 'Argyraspides' in the Macedonian army, only the two wings of the phalanx named 'Chalkaspides' (bronze-shields) and Leukaspides ( white-shields).The later Seleucid army does call part of its phalanx 'Argyraspides', however and these are sarissa/pelte armed.

I think the original theory for the 16.000 being separated in two was actually between "Leukaspides" and "Chalkaspides",and this since -as Paullus stated out- the ancient sources are quite clear about "argyraspides". Actually the theory may be Connolly's originally or he quotes another historian in his book. He also says the "silver" shields might well have been tinned bronze,like later roman equipment.
I just remind that at least in modern greek,the word silver can refer to any grey colour metal.If you ask somebody what colour is this (iron) spoon,the reply will be 90% "silver". Is it the same with other languages?
Now,I'm not saying this is a clue that the shields had to be tinned and not real silver,but it may add to the discussion.
Khairete
Giannis