The Makedonian phalanx -- why such depth?

[Paralus]

Instead of criticising others, perhaps you would be good enough to offer up another interpretation of what occurred.......I note you have ignored the questions I posed earlier.... :lol: :lol:

No: only your good self….

I am, as you realise, in the process of doing just that. Indeed it is becoming a tad confusing as that discussion via email with respect to your “rhomboid” formation for Alexander’s forces at Gaugamela is firmly rooted in the Vulgae (Curtius in particular). I see, though, we are now onto Arrian. That suits fine.

Which question? The reference to the king of the Agraines having a hypaspist guard is Arrian 1.5.1:

But Langarus, king of the Agrianians, who, in the lifetime of Philip, had been an open and avowed friend of Alexander, and had gone on an embassy to him in his private capacity, at that time also came to him with the finest and best armed of the shield-bearing troops, which he kept as a body-guard.

It is generally agreed (which does not make it incontrovertible) that Langarus was not on his Pat Malone in this “usual retinue” of kingly protectors and that Philip expanded upon a guard that was already in existence for Macedonian and neighboring kings.

it is not clear here whether "Hetaroi" refers to the Mounted "Companions" or the "Pez-hetaroi/Foot-Companions" but the context would appear to be the latter;( they are launched against the Phalanx) the Agrianes and Balacrus' Thracian javelin-men are clearly light Infantry, referred to elsewhere as well.

Note that the scythed chariots are launched against the Phalanx, and that they are opposed by the light Infantry screen.

Not at all: it is abundantly clear that Companion Cavalry is intended.

As I wrote earlier the Agrianes are not posted in front of the phalanx. There is no need to attempt to extrapolate from Arrian’s battle description the whereabouts of the Agrianes for he makes very plain where Alexander placed them (3.12.1 ff):

Next to the royal squadron on the right wing, half of the Agrianians, under the command of Attalus, in conjunction with the Macedonian archers under Briso’s command, were posted angular-wise in case they should be seized anyhow by the necessity of deepening the phalanx, or of closing up the ranks. Next to the archers were the men called the veteran mercenaries, whose commander was Cleander. In front of the Agrianians and archers were posted the light cavalry used for skirmishing, and the Paeonians, under the command of Aretes and Aristo. In front of all had been posted the Grecian mercenary cavalry under the direction of Menidas; and in front of the royal squadron of cavalry and the other Companions had been posted half of the Agrianians and archers, and the javelin-men of Balacrus who had been ranged opposite the scythe-bearing chariots.

The hetairoi referred to are clearly and unequivocally the Companion Cavalry and not pezhetairoi as your stretch of the source material would have it. It is evident that Darius’ intention was to neutralise or seriously hamper the Macedonian strike weapon – the Companion Cavalry and its king. Alexander prepared his dispositions accordingly. That the line of these chariots also stretched far enough toward the Persian centre so as to charge the far right of phalanx is correct. Arrian explicitly states that these were dealt with by the grooms and the rear ranks of the hypaspists (who had made way for them as instructed).