06-06-2010, 03:03 AM
Like Ueda-Sarson I am of the view that the Macedonian taxeis in Philip/Alexander's day were some 2,000 or so strong. His articles make the case better than I could .....both for Infantry and cavalry organisation. As to Hypaspist armament, we have had that debate elsewhere, suffice to say I am firmly of the belief that they were indeed armed with 'doru' and 'aspis' in Philip and probably most, if not all of Alexander's reign and up to perhaps the demise of the originals by Antigonus ( as 'Argyraspides' - use of aspis again). 'Hypaspists' weren't restricted to Macedonia in Philip/Alexander's time either, the King of the Agrianes having a bodyguard of Hypaspists also, undoubtedly a flattering imitation of the Macedonian originals, and these at least would be most unlikely to be 'sarissa' armed for obvious reasons. Later Macedonian Royal Guards, the successors of the 'Hypaspists/Argyraspides' had become 'sarissaphoroi' ( The 'Peltasts' of Philip V certainly were).
As to 'light armed', perhaps the analogy should be with Roman/Latin usage. 'Light-armed' ( expedita) should more properly be described as 'lightly equipped', and means a force unburdened with baggage (impedimenta). Arrian and Curtius, both Roman writers, were familiar with this usage and may well have applied it to Alexander's expeditions in appropriate circumstances........
As to origins, the Macedonians, like other tribes of the region were likely 'peltasts' armed with 'pelta' and a pair of dual purpose 'longche'. Philip's change was to add the 'sarissa' and the drill that went with it. That they still carried their 'longche' on campaign with them is confirmed by the tale of the duel between a Macedonian and an Athenian armed with a club. The 'sarissa' was almost certainly restricted to pitched battle, and the 'longche' used on other occasions, such as siege assaults etc. Whether the 'Hyapaspists' also used it as well as the 'doru' is unknown. Hoplites seem to appear with the coastal colonies of Greeks, and are referred to by Thucydides in Macedonia from the late 5 C BC as forming part of Macedonian armies....
As to 'light armed', perhaps the analogy should be with Roman/Latin usage. 'Light-armed' ( expedita) should more properly be described as 'lightly equipped', and means a force unburdened with baggage (impedimenta). Arrian and Curtius, both Roman writers, were familiar with this usage and may well have applied it to Alexander's expeditions in appropriate circumstances........
As to origins, the Macedonians, like other tribes of the region were likely 'peltasts' armed with 'pelta' and a pair of dual purpose 'longche'. Philip's change was to add the 'sarissa' and the drill that went with it. That they still carried their 'longche' on campaign with them is confirmed by the tale of the duel between a Macedonian and an Athenian armed with a club. The 'sarissa' was almost certainly restricted to pitched battle, and the 'longche' used on other occasions, such as siege assaults etc. Whether the 'Hyapaspists' also used it as well as the 'doru' is unknown. Hoplites seem to appear with the coastal colonies of Greeks, and are referred to by Thucydides in Macedonia from the late 5 C BC as forming part of Macedonian armies....
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
