11-03-2010, 03:12 AM
Quote:So how then was Alexander able to perform this feat of wheeling his cavalry in battle ? The Macedonian heavy cavalry charged in a 'wedge' formation, deeper than it was broad, which allowed the formation to 'follow it's leader ' and change direction. This was originally a 'Scythian' formation, necessitated by their 'hit and run' mounted archery tactics.
And who was the genius who saw the advantage of this formation, and adapted it to the needs of the Macedonian cavalry, and introduced this innovation ??
Why, the Hellenistic manuals tell us it was Philip of Macedon !!
Indeed and double indeed.
Arrian attempts to communicate that attacking wedge in his description of Gaugamela when he has Alexander "create like a wedge" his companion cavalry and the infantry next to them to run at or charge Darius' formation. Clearly this wedge would have the heavy infantry alongside the Companion Cavalry echelonning away to the left and capable then of advancing towards Darius' position in the centre. Battlefield application of the "drill " at Pelium?
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
