07-17-2012, 07:27 PM
This would be a way to reconciliate a rightward movement that would simultaneously bring the Macedonians closer but then it would be a bit problematic for the rightmost taxis to first wheel and then attack or first attack forward and at an angle, then wheel to present frontage against Darius and then go on with the attack. I guess that the whole rightward movement for Alexander could have the tactical goal to get the phalangites against Darius whether at an angle or not and I see no reason to deny the possibility of what you propose other than the the fact that it is not mentioned, like so many other theories we produce.
As for the outflank, both accounts seem possible to me, the outflanking maneuver surely sounds more possible if it was pre-planned, Arrian's version would be more possible if the attack was unplanned. I guess this is a conflict that dates to the older primary sources, maybe a Callisthenes vs Ptolemy & Aristobulus thing...
As for the outflank, both accounts seem possible to me, the outflanking maneuver surely sounds more possible if it was pre-planned, Arrian's version would be more possible if the attack was unplanned. I guess this is a conflict that dates to the older primary sources, maybe a Callisthenes vs Ptolemy & Aristobulus thing...
