10-03-2016, 05:06 PM
I've been reading many conflicting accounts of Macedonian cavalry and whether or not it attacked infantry. I think the 'hammer and anvil' theory can be thrown out - however, in the latest issue of Ancient Warfare Magazine, included is an article about the Macedonian cavalry wedge and how it interacted with infantry. I haven't had a chance to completely read the article yet, but I was under the impression that Alexander's cavalry is not once recorded as coming into melee against infantry - not the allied Greeks at Chaeronea, nor the Persian infantry in any of the many battles there.
This evidently was not true during the Hellenistic era - at the Battle of Magnesia, Seleucid cavalry routed Roman infantry(a rare occurrence in this period, I note) and I believe Pyhrrus engaged enemy infantry leading his cavalry several times, though I may be mistaken.
Could someone clear this up for me? Thanks!
This evidently was not true during the Hellenistic era - at the Battle of Magnesia, Seleucid cavalry routed Roman infantry(a rare occurrence in this period, I note) and I believe Pyhrrus engaged enemy infantry leading his cavalry several times, though I may be mistaken.
Could someone clear this up for me? Thanks!
