Alexander and the Macedonian System

1. Alexander and the Macedonian System Major Carlos Rascon

2. Introduction • Alexander the Great inherited the most powerful military organization of his time due to the innovations made by his father Philip of Macedon. Under his rule Philip made the military a way of life for many Macedonian men by making the military a full time occupation. He was able to drill his men regularly, building unity and cohesion within the army. This presentation focuses on the innovations made by Philip to the Macedon army that allowed his son to advance the Macedon Empire and Greek culture as far as India.

3. Learning Objectives • Know the improvements made to the Macedon Army by Philip of Macedon( light and heavy infantry, phalanx, cavalry and artillery). • Know the strategies employed by Alexander in defeating the Persian sea power and on land. • Know the tactics employed by Alexander at the Battle of Issus and Arbela.

4. Source • Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, pp. 21- 54, 57- 62 • Preston, Roland & Wise, Men in Arms, pp. 22 – 28 • The Great Homepage of Alexander. <http://wso.williams.edu/~junterek/>

5. Philip of Macedon • Created standing (full-time) army • Introduced flanking maneuver in the form of heavy cavalry. • Linked heavy cavalry and heavy infantry (phalanx) with light infantry on flanks. • Introduced the use ofartillery; in the ballista and catapult. • Assassinated in 336 B.C.

6. Infantry • Improved the Phalanx by providing longer spear (Sarissa) about 21 ft long and increasing the depth from 8 to 16 ranks In battle formation. • The Sarissa of the first five ranks protruded into an impenetrable hedge, while the remaining ranks grounded or carried their Sarissa at a 45 degree angle to deflect missiles from overhead. • Video 5 min (Phalanx)

7. Macedonian Phalanx

8. Infantry • On level ground this mobile force was invincible when it bore down with locked shields and bristling points. • But formation had weaknesses. Its flanks and rear were open to attack, but it was better able to maneuver over rough terrain than previous phalanxes.

9. Infantry • As a remedy for both defects, Philip built up a supporting light infantry that - protected the wings of the phalanx, lending mobility as well as defense. - consisted of mainly peltasts (lightly armored pikemen) but also included archers, slingers, and javelin men.

10. Infantry • The light infantry served as a link between the slower moving phalanx and the faster moving cavalry. • This “hinge” was essential to an advance in oblique order, for without it, contact between the cavalry and phalanx would almost certainly be lost.

11. Cavalry • The cavalry had been the weakness of Greek Army. • Philip made it the strength of his Army. • He organized his nobles into a bodyguard called the “companions” which became the hammer of Macedonian battle tactics (envelopment).

12. Cavalry • In support, Philip formed troops of light horsemen trained for scouting, skirmishing, and screening • The organization of the Phalanx was remarkably like that of a modern army • Tetrarchia (Platoon) - 64 Men • Taxiarchia (Company) - 128 Men • Syntagma (Battalion) - 256 Men • Chiliarchia (Regiment) - 1024 Men

13. Cavalry

14. Artillery • Philip also developed the first artillery arm of the ancient world. The use of “Engines of War” had been confined to siege craft until the Macedonian King saw larger possibilities • The “War Engines” fell into two categories • Ballista • Catapult, or Howitzer

15. Ballista • Ancient fieldpiece, operated on the principle of tension. Simply a magnified crossbow stretched by a windlass. The projectile was usually a spear.

16. Catapult Howitzer, Operated by means of torsion, its long upright arm terminated in a “spoon” or “cup”. The opposite end was entwined in heavy cords secured to posts. These cords were twisted by winches until the arm was at the desired angle. The catapult was used to hurl a missile high in the air for purposes of clearing a wall or hill.

18. Staff System • The details of the Macedonian staff system are not well-known but must have been quite thorough and extensive. • Command was exercised by voice, by trumpet, and by spear movement • Long range communications were accomplished by smoke signals or fire beacons.

19. Army Composition • Philip had formed the first national standing army, its strength made up of: • Citizens owing military service • Volunteers from the nobility • Auxiliary troops from tributary states • Mercenaries employed for some special skill

21. Alexander the Great • Son of Philip of Macedon, conqueror of Greece. • Led from the front. • Frequently wounded; regarded as invincible. • Knowing he would be unable to defeat the Persian navy at sea, he seized their ports. • Advanced empire and Greek culture as far as India.

22. Alexander’s Empire

24. Battle at Issus- Background • As soon as Alexander learned of this, he doubled back to battle the Persians. • Alexander’s army of 30,000 now faced Darius with 100,000 on a narrow coastal plain

25. Battle at Issus- Background • Darius had assembled an army to the East of the Amanus Mountains. • Upon learning that Alexander was advancing Southward along the coast, Darius crossed the Amanus Range, came down to Issus and cut Alexander’s line of communication

26. Battle of Issus - Alexander’s Plan • Battle of Issus - Alexander’s Plan • Because of the tremendous disparity in numbers, Alexander planned to attack the Persian left with his companion cavalry and Hypaspists (light infantry) • The remainder of his forces would be echeloned to his left rear • The Thessalian Cavalry would guard his left flank against the Persian Cavalry

27. Battle of Issus • In a preliminary action he drove back Persian covering force in the foothills • The leading echelons of the Phalanx were briefly in trouble when the Persian center counterattacked while they were crossing the stream • Alexander’s cavalry assault smashed the Persian left, then with the Hypastists, he wheeled Westward into the exposed Persian center

29. Battle of Issus • The Macedonian center renewed their efforts. • The Persian Cavalry on Darius’ right had crossed the Pinarus river, only to be repulsed by the Thessalians and the left of the Phalanx.

30. Battle of Issus • As his center crumbled, Darius fled, immediately followed by his panic-stricken survivors • Alexander pursued briefly, they returned to his original plan of securing the seacoast • Losses • Persian - in excess of 50,000 • Macedonian - less than 1,000

32. Battle of Arbela, 331 B.C. • One of 15 decisive battles in history?? • First documented use of reserve. • Posted light cavalry and infantry on flanks to prevent envelopment. • Persians attempted to maneuver, but created a gap in their lines. • Alexander personally led cavalry charge. • Darius fled; panic spread from the center to the whole army.

33. Battle of Arbela - Background • After seizing Tyre, Alexander moved South and West seizing Egypt and completing his control of the Eastern Mediterranean Seaboard • Learning of Darius’ assembling army in Mesopotamia, Alexander marched to meet him near Nineveh, about 70 miles west of Arbela • Darius’ Forces - about 200,000 • Alexander’s Forces - about 47,000

34. Battle of Arbela - Darius’ Plan His best troops, the Greek Mercenaries, had been almost destroyed at Issus. He was now relying mainly on his cavalry, chariots and elephants. He drew his forces up in two long deep lines with cavalry on each flank

35. Battle of Arbela - Darius’ Plan • Numerous Scythe chariots lined the front of the entire army, with 15 elephants in front of the center. • Darius had the plain to his front leveled, in order that his chariots could maneuver

36. Battle of Arbela - Alexander’s Plan • Due to reconnaissance, Darius’ groundwork was noted; Alexander deduced the reason for it and planned to reduce the Persian advantage. • One of his generals recommended a night attack. Alexander, apparently aware of the difficulties concerned, refused

38. Battle of Arbela Darius attempted to shift his forces to the left, at the same time launching some of his cavalry. This created gaps in the Persian line. Persian wings swept in to envelop the Macedonian flanks but were met and repulsed by Alexander’s flank reserves

39. Battle of Arbela Alexander noticed a gap near the left center of the Persian line and led his companions in a charge, followed by his Hypaspists. He smashed through the Persian line. Darius, in the path of Alexander’s charge, fled.

40. Battle at Arbela Darius attempted to shift his forces to the left, at the same time launching some of his cavalry. This created gaps in the Persian line. Persian wings swept in to envelop the Macedonian flanks but were met and repulsed by Alexander’s flank reserves

41. Battle at Arbela Panic spread from the Persian center, all along the left, and these forces crumbled Alexander’s left flank was hard pressed, so he immediately returned to the scene and routed the Persian forces

42. Battle at Arbela

43. Battle of Arbela • Alexander now led his forces in a vigorous pursuit of the fleeing Persians. • Alexander’s losses - 500 killed and about 5,000 wounded. • Persian casualties were at least 50,000

44. Summary • Philip of Macedon introduced Calvary, artillery and combined these elements on the battle field. • He also improved the phalanx formation, making it more effective. • Alexander the great foreseeing the strength of the Persian Navy, seized Persian Ports. • Under his command the Macedon Empire and the Greek Culture advanced as far as India.

45. Questions?