What made the Macedonian phalanx more effective than the Greek?

Because the Macedonians had light infantry, light calvary and heavy calvary to complement their phalanx, the Macedonian phalanx was designed to hold the enemy, and control space while these more mobile specialized troops destroyed the enemy by flanking or the use of projectile weapons.

Why was the Macedonian phalanx so successful?

From the hardened Illyrians in the west, to the Greek city states to the south, none could match Philip’s disciplined sarissa-wielding infantry. So long as its flanks and rear were protected, the Macedonian phalanx proved unstoppable. A keystone to Philip’s success was his creation and use of the Macedonian phalanx.

Why was the hoplite phalanx so effective?

One of the primary reasons for its success on the battlefield was the Phalanx formation. When engaging in battle, the phalanx would form a tight defence and advance towards the enemy. The defence would be held tight by the hoplite shields and greaves which formed a barrier on all sides of the unit.

Was the Roman legion was more effective and flexible than the Macedonian phalanx?

The battles certainly showcase the manipular legion’s flexibility over the powerful but stiff Macedonian phalanx, but it would have been impossible with all the different variables to find a perfect battlefield matchup of the two formations.

What was the hoplite phalanx?

The hoplite phalanx of the Archaic and Classical periods in Greece (c. 800–350 BC) was the formation in which the hoplites would line up in ranks in close order. The hoplites would lock their shields together, and the first few ranks of soldiers would project their spears out over the first rank of shields.

What were hoplite shields made of?

The hoplite carried a large circular shield (hoplon or aspis) some 80 cm (30 in.) in diameter and weighing as much as 8 kg. This was made of wood or stiff leather, faced with bronze, and was held with the left arm placed through a central band (porpax) and gripped via a strap (antilabe) attached to the shield rim.

How were hoplites different from earlier Greek soldiers?

Hoplites (HOP-lytes) (Ancient Greek: ὁπλίτης : hoplítēs) were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers used the phalanx formation to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. In the 8th or 7th century BC, Greek armies adopted the phalanx formation.

What is a Greek hoplite?

Hoplite infantrymen were the military ideal of ancient Greece and were recruited from the wealthy middling ranks of society, particularly the farmers. They wore bronze armor breastplates, helmets, shin guards, shoulder pads, and sometimes foot protectors, thigh guards and forearm guards.

What does the success of a hoplite depend on?

Its effectiveness depended on how well the hoplites could maintain this formation in combat, and how well they could stand their ground, especially when engaged against another phalanx. The more disciplined and courageous the army, the more likely it was to win.

What is the hoplite debate?

In the case of ancient Greek, and especially hoplite, warfare, this debate concerns two further questions: when, how, and why hoplite equipment and tactics emerged; and how exactly the hoplite phalanx operated on the battlefield.

What is a Greek phalanx?

phalanx, in military science, tactical formation consisting of a block of heavily armed infantry standing shoulder to shoulder in files several ranks deep. Fully developed by the ancient Greeks, it survived in modified form into the gunpowder era and is viewed today as the beginning of European military development.

What is the hoplite phalanx?

What is the difference between the Greek hoplite and the phalanx?

While the traditional Greek hoplite espoused the bravery and lofty ideals of the citizens of a Greek polis, the Macedonian phalanx could be seen as a tight formation of soldiers specifically ‘engineered’ for war and survival.

What is a phalanx in ancient Greece?

Phalanx The phalanx is a Greek invention that would come to define Greek warfare for much of the 7th-4th centuries. It was a formation of heavily armored hoplites arranged in an eight-man deep line. These hoplites would be armed with an eight foot long spear, a short sword, and their namesake – the hoplon shield.

What was the purpose of the Macedonian pike phalanx?

Edit: Remember the classical Greek hoplite formation was intended for mainly hoplite vs hoplite combat. The Macedonian pike phalanx was originally designed to be used as part of a combined arms approach to warfare. I saw in an old documentary, but couldn’t find it on a quick Google search, but I did find this.

What are the light troops of the phalanx?

In the early stages of development during the 7th and 6th centuries the phalanx would have light troops mixed with the hoplites, these light troops would include peltasts, slingers, archers, or a mixture thereof.