THE ARMY OF ALEXANDER

The backbone of the Macedonian army was the cavalry. The Macedonians were great horsemen and it was part of the skills of the noble classes to hunt and fight well on horseback. The elite corps of the army were the hetairoi or Cavalry Companions. They were heavily armed and manoeuvred skillfully at high speed. The main feature of Alexander's cavalry was the use of the wedge-shaped formation to break through enemy ranks. One of the advantages of professional training was the ability of the Macedonian army to combine cavalry and infantry to powerful effect.

One of Philip's innovations had been to promote the infantry which had been traditionally low in status, recruited from the peasantry in poorer regions. He discplined them effectively, equipped them properly and subjected them to forced marches. They were allowed no wheeled transport and only one servant to ten men. They had to carry 30 days' provisions with them thus cutting down on the size of baggage train and the number of camp followers.

Influenced by Epaminondas, the great Theban general, Philip transformed the infantry into a phalanx, a long line of men, usually 8 men deep. Those in front received higher pay. The infantry were now called Foot Companions, thus increasing their status. The phalanx was divided into taxeis, (about 1500 men divided by region). The position of honour was on the right wing.

The infantry was armed with sarissas, these were two-handled pikes, about 5.5 metres long. The sarissa was made of cornel wood, two pieces joined by an iron sleeve. It weighed about 7 kilos. The men wore greaves, a helmet, and a cuirass made of either metal or stiffened linen. They carried a round shield about 60cm. in diameter. As far as we know equipment was supplied as there were fines for losses.

Another crucial part of the infantry were the hypaspists, who were light-armed infantry. These were called the "Shield Bearers" and used javelins, bows and arrows. There was also an

elite corps of veterans called the "Silver Shields".