05-26-2010, 04:58 AM
Quote:I have a problem with the unquestioned acceptance of the rather unlikely faux retreat [...] Why the Athenians should become disordered in a "step by step" advance, while men walking backwards in front of them were not escapes me...
Precisely the basis of my words to you re Sellasia and Kleomenes chasing the Macedonians down Olympus for the distance that Plutarch (Phylarchus) would have. I think there might be exaggeration involved - not to mention exculpation if, as is suspected, an Athenian source is involved - in this description.
Quote:[...] and the flat statement that the Hypaspists were sarissaphoroi.
My view is that Philip - leading the right - has the pezhetairoi (hypaspists under Alexander if not so named already) with him on this wing. What little material survives about this battle - for the Greeks an adverse re-run of Plataea - indicates that the sarisa was dominant over the dory. Plutarch describes the Sacred band having fallen facing the points of these weapons. The supposed retreat, under protection of their weapons, would indicate that the hypaspists were sarisa-armed. Hammond's contention is that the Athenians were lured away from and to the left of their defensive position before the hypaspists advanced again. More below...
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
