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Alexander and the Alexander and the Macedonian SystemMacedonian System

Major Carlos RasconMajor Carlos Rascon

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IntroductionIntroduction

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

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Know the improvements made to the Know the improvements made to the Macedon Army by Philip of Macedon( light Macedon Army by Philip of Macedon( light and heavy infantry, phalanx, cavalry and and heavy infantry, phalanx, cavalry and artillery).artillery).

Know the strategies employed by Alexander Know the strategies employed by Alexander in defeating the Persian sea power and on in defeating the Persian sea power and on land.land.

Know the tactics employed by Alexander at Know the tactics employed by Alexander at the Battle of Issus and Arbela.the Battle of Issus and Arbela.

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SourceSource

Jones, Jones, The Art of War in the Western WorldThe Art of War in the Western World, , pp. 21- 54, 57- 62 pp. 21- 54, 57- 62

Preston, Roland & Wise, Preston, Roland & Wise, Men in ArmsMen in Arms, pp. , pp. 22 – 2822 – 28

The Great Homepage of Alexander.The Great Homepage of Alexander. <http://wso.williams.edu/~junterek/><http://wso.williams.edu/~junterek/>

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Philip of MacedonPhilip of Macedon

Created standing (full-time) army Created standing (full-time) army Introduced flanking maneuver in the form of Introduced flanking maneuver in the form of

heavy cavalry. heavy cavalry. Linked heavy cavalry and heavy infantry Linked heavy cavalry and heavy infantry

(phalanx) with light infantry on flanks. (phalanx) with light infantry on flanks. Introduced the use ofIntroduced the use of artillery; in the ballista artillery; in the ballista

and catapult. and catapult. Assassinated in 336 B.C.Assassinated in 336 B.C.

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InfantryInfantry

Improved the Phalanx by providing longer Improved the Phalanx by providing longer spear (Sarissa) about 21 ft long and spear (Sarissa) about 21 ft long and increasing the depth from 8 to 16 ranks In increasing the depth from 8 to 16 ranks In battle formation.battle formation.

The Sarissa of the first five ranks protruded The Sarissa of the first five ranks protruded into an impenetrable hedge, while the into an impenetrable hedge, while the remaining ranks grounded or carried their remaining ranks grounded or carried their Sarissa at a 45 degree angle to deflect Sarissa at a 45 degree angle to deflect missiles from overhead. missiles from overhead.

Video 5 min (Phalanx)Video 5 min (Phalanx)

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Macedonian PhalanxMacedonian Phalanx

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InfantryInfantry

On level ground this mobile force was On level ground this mobile force was invincible when it bore down with locked invincible when it bore down with locked shields and bristling points.shields and bristling points.

But formation had weaknesses. Its flanks But formation had weaknesses. Its flanks and rear were open to attack, but it was and rear were open to attack, but it was better able to maneuver over rough terrain better able to maneuver over rough terrain than previous phalanxes.than previous phalanxes.

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InfantryInfantry

• As a remedy for both defects, Philip built As a remedy for both defects, Philip built up a supporting light infantry thatup a supporting light infantry that

-- protected the wings of the phalanx, protected the wings of the phalanx, lending mobility as well as defense. lending mobility as well as defense.

- consisted of mainly peltasts (lightly - consisted of mainly peltasts (lightly armored pikemen) but also included armored pikemen) but also included archers, slingers, and javelin men.archers, slingers, and javelin men.

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InfantryInfantry

The light infantry served as a link between The light infantry served as a link between the slower moving phalanx and the faster the slower moving phalanx and the faster moving cavalry.moving cavalry.

This “hinge” was essential to an advance in This “hinge” was essential to an advance in oblique order, for without it, contact between oblique order, for without it, contact between the cavalry and phalanx would almost the cavalry and phalanx would almost certainly be lost.certainly be lost.

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CavalryCavalry

The cavalry had been The cavalry had been the weakness of Greek the weakness of Greek Army. Army.

Philip made it the Philip made it the strength of his Army. strength of his Army.

He organized his He organized his nobles into a nobles into a bodyguard called the bodyguard called the “companions” which “companions” which became the hammer of became the hammer of Macedonian battle Macedonian battle tactics (envelopment).tactics (envelopment).

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CavalryCavalry

In support, Philip formed troops of light In support, Philip formed troops of light horsemen trained for scouting, skirmishing, horsemen trained for scouting, skirmishing, and screening and screening – The organization of the Phalanx was remarkably The organization of the Phalanx was remarkably

like that of a modern army like that of a modern army – Tetrarchia (Platoon) - 64 Men Tetrarchia (Platoon) - 64 Men – Taxiarchia (Company) - 128 Men Taxiarchia (Company) - 128 Men – Syntagma (Battalion) - 256 Men Syntagma (Battalion) - 256 Men – Chiliarchia (Regiment) - 1024 MenChiliarchia (Regiment) - 1024 Men

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Cavalry

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ArtilleryArtillery

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

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BallistaBallista

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

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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.

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Staff SystemStaff System

• The details of the Macedonian staff system are The details of the Macedonian staff system are not well-known but must have been quite not well-known but must have been quite thorough and extensive. thorough and extensive.

• Command was exercised by voice, by trumpet, Command was exercised by voice, by trumpet, and by spear movement and by spear movement

• Long range communications were accomplished Long range communications were accomplished by smoke signals or fire beacons.by smoke signals or fire beacons.

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Army CompositionArmy Composition

• Philip had formed the first national Philip had formed the first national standing army, its strength made up of: standing army, its strength made up of:

• Citizens owing military service Citizens owing military service • Volunteers from the nobility Volunteers from the nobility • Auxiliary troops from tributary states Auxiliary troops from tributary states • Mercenaries employed for some special Mercenaries employed for some special

skillskill

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Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great

Son of Philip of Macedon, conqueror of Son of Philip of Macedon, conqueror of Greece. Greece. – Led from the front. Led from the front.

Frequently wounded; regarded as invincible. Frequently wounded; regarded as invincible. Knowing he would be unable to defeat the Knowing he would be unable to defeat the

Persian navy at sea, he seized their ports. Persian navy at sea, he seized their ports. Advanced empire and Greek culture as far Advanced empire and Greek culture as far

as India. as India.

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Alexander’s EmpireAlexander’s Empire

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Battle at Issus- BackgroundBattle at Issus- Background

As soon as Alexander learned of this, he As soon as Alexander learned of this, he doubled back to battle the Persians.doubled back to battle the Persians.

Alexander’s army of 30,000 now faced Alexander’s army of 30,000 now faced Darius with 100,000 on a narrow coastal Darius with 100,000 on a narrow coastal plainplain

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Battle at Issus- BackgroundBattle at Issus- Background

Darius had assembled an army to the East of Darius had assembled an army to the East of the Amanus Mountains.the Amanus Mountains.

Upon learning that Alexander was Upon learning that Alexander was advancing Southward along the coast, advancing Southward along the coast, Darius crossed the Amanus Range, came Darius crossed the Amanus Range, came down to Issus and cut Alexander’s line of down to Issus and cut Alexander’s line of communicationcommunication

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Battle of Issus - Alexander’s PlanBattle of Issus - Alexander’s Plan

Battle of Issus - Alexander’s PlanBattle of Issus - Alexander’s PlanBecause of the tremendous disparity in Because of the tremendous disparity in

numbers, Alexander planned to attack the numbers, Alexander planned to attack the Persian left with his companion cavalry and Persian left with his companion cavalry and Hypaspists (light infantry) Hypaspists (light infantry)

The remainder of his forces would be The remainder of his forces would be echeloned to his left rear echeloned to his left rear

The Thessalian Cavalry would guard his left The Thessalian Cavalry would guard his left flank against the Persian Cavalryflank against the Persian Cavalry

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Battle of IssusBattle of Issus

In a preliminary action he drove back Persian In a preliminary action he drove back Persian covering force in the foothills covering force in the foothills

The leading echelons of the Phalanx were The leading echelons of the Phalanx were briefly in trouble when the Persian center briefly in trouble when the Persian center counterattacked while they were crossing the counterattacked while they were crossing the stream stream

Alexander’s cavalry assault smashed the Alexander’s cavalry assault smashed the Persian left, then with the Hypastists, he Persian left, then with the Hypastists, he wheeled Westward into the exposed Persian wheeled Westward into the exposed Persian centercenter

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Battle of IssusBattle of Issus

The Macedonian center renewed their The Macedonian center renewed their efforts.efforts.

The Persian Cavalry on Darius’ right had The Persian Cavalry on Darius’ right had crossed the Pinarus river, only to be repulsed crossed the Pinarus river, only to be repulsed by the Thessalians and the left of the by the Thessalians and the left of the Phalanx.Phalanx.

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Battle of IssusBattle of Issus

As his center crumbled, Darius fled, As his center crumbled, Darius fled, immediately followed by his panic-stricken immediately followed by his panic-stricken survivors survivors

Alexander pursued briefly, they returned to Alexander pursued briefly, they returned to his original plan of securing the seacoast his original plan of securing the seacoast – Losses Losses – Persian - in excess of 50,000 Persian - in excess of 50,000 – Macedonian - less than 1,000Macedonian - less than 1,000

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Battle of Arbela, 331 B.C. Battle of Arbela, 331 B.C.

One of 15 decisive battles in history?? One of 15 decisive battles in history?? First documented use of reserve. First documented use of reserve. Posted light cavalry and infantry on flanks to Posted light cavalry and infantry on flanks to

prevent envelopment. prevent envelopment. – Persians attempted to maneuver, but created a Persians attempted to maneuver, but created a

gap in their lines. gap in their lines. – Alexander personally led cavalry charge. Alexander personally led cavalry charge. – Darius fled; panic spread from the center to the Darius fled; panic spread from the center to the

whole army.whole army.

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Battle of Arbela - BackgroundBattle of Arbela - Background

After seizing Tyre, Alexander moved South After seizing Tyre, Alexander moved South and West seizing Egypt and completing his and West seizing Egypt and completing his control of the Eastern Mediterranean control of the Eastern Mediterranean Seaboard Seaboard – Learning of Darius’ assembling army in Learning of Darius’ assembling army in

Mesopotamia, Alexander marched to meet him Mesopotamia, Alexander marched to meet him near Nineveh, about 70 miles west of Arbela near Nineveh, about 70 miles west of Arbela

– Darius’ Forces - about 200,000 Darius’ Forces - about 200,000 – Alexander’s Forces - about 47,000Alexander’s Forces - about 47,000

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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

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Battle of Arbela - Darius’ PlanBattle of Arbela - Darius’ Plan

Numerous Scythe chariots lined the front of Numerous Scythe chariots lined the front of the entire army, with 15 elephants in front of the entire army, with 15 elephants in front of the center.the center.

Darius had the plain to his front leveled, in Darius had the plain to his front leveled, in order that his chariots could maneuverorder that his chariots could maneuver

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Battle of Arbela - Alexander’s PlanBattle of Arbela - Alexander’s Plan

Due to reconnaissance, Darius’ groundwork Due to reconnaissance, Darius’ groundwork was noted; Alexander deduced the reason was noted; Alexander deduced the reason for it and planned to reduce the Persian for it and planned to reduce the Persian advantage.advantage.

One of his generals recommended a night One of his generals recommended a night attack. Alexander, apparently aware of the attack. Alexander, apparently aware of the difficulties concerned, refuseddifficulties concerned, refused

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Battle of ArbelaBattle 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

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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.

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Battle at ArbelaBattle 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

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Battle at ArbelaBattle 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

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Battle at ArbelaBattle at Arbela

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Battle of ArbelaBattle of Arbela

Alexander now led his forces in a vigorous Alexander now led his forces in a vigorous pursuit of the fleeing Persians.pursuit of the fleeing Persians.

Alexander’s losses - 500 killed and about Alexander’s losses - 500 killed and about 5,000 wounded.5,000 wounded.

Persian casualties were at least 50,000Persian casualties were at least 50,000

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SummarySummary

Philip of Macedon introduced Calvary, Philip of Macedon introduced Calvary, artillery and combined these elements on the artillery and combined these elements on the battle field.battle field.

He also improved the phalanx formation, He also improved the phalanx formation, making it more effective.making it more effective.

Alexander the great foreseeing the strength Alexander the great foreseeing the strength of the Persian Navy, seized Persian Ports.of the Persian Navy, seized Persian Ports.

Under his command the Macedon Empire Under his command the Macedon Empire and the Greek Culture advanced as far as and the Greek Culture advanced as far as India.India.

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Questions?Questions?

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