06-23-2010, 03:54 AM
With regard to the method of 'articulation' used by Antiochus the Great at Magnesia (190), the clarifying observation that this was not infantry would seem to be at least partially correct. Sekunda's assumption is that there were 11 groups having two elephants apiece that stood between 10 groups of 1,600 pikemen each (filed 32 deep); however, the elephant teams are thought to have also included forces of light infantry (here, Sekunda cites Bar-Kochva's Seleucid Army pp. 8, 82, 167), thus prompting my reference not only to spearmen, but to other "more mobile" types of troops as well.
FYI per your query, Craig, the 'articulating' mechanism involved in Sekunda's other 3 examples are: a) Italiote Greek infantry (presumeably hoplites or similar spearmen) between the pike units of Pyrrhus, b) Illyrians (spearmen with theuros shields) between the pike units at Sellasia (222), and c) empty gaps between blocks (speirai) of pikemen at Mantineia (207) to give those blocks improved lateral maneuverability. - Fred
FYI per your query, Craig, the 'articulating' mechanism involved in Sekunda's other 3 examples are: a) Italiote Greek infantry (presumeably hoplites or similar spearmen) between the pike units of Pyrrhus, b) Illyrians (spearmen with theuros shields) between the pike units at Sellasia (222), and c) empty gaps between blocks (speirai) of pikemen at Mantineia (207) to give those blocks improved lateral maneuverability. - Fred
It\'s only by appreciating accurate accounts of real combat past and present that we can begin to approach the Greek hoplite\'s hard-won awareness of war\'s potential merits and ultimate limitations.
- Fred Eugene Ray (aka "Old Husker")
- Fred Eugene Ray (aka "Old Husker")
