03-13-2009, 12:43 PM
Quote: Suffice to say it is a common fallacy that Polybius/Callisthenes has Alexander 'broaden' his phalanx to fill the width of the battlefield. In fact, Polybius scorns Callisthenes because even in close order 8 deep, the phalanx would be too wide to fit into the narrower battlefield (on Callisthenes stated distances). .....
Polybius is utterly wrong: his logic is flawed. This passage is not his "high point" by any stretch.
Regardless of the complexities I'd love an inkling of your source material. I imagine the basis of your assertion is the lack of effect on the frontage of the phalanx?
Paralus|Michael Park
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
