What was the Macedonian phalanx?
Q: What was the Macedonian phalanx?
A: The Macedonian phalanx was an infantry formation developed by Philip II and used by his son Alexander the Great to conquer the Persian Empire. It consisted of spearmen carrying long spears called sarissas, which were two-handed and had smaller shields slung over the left shoulder.
Q: How did Alexander use the phalanx in battle?
A: At the start of a battle, Alexander would use the phalanx to pin down the enemy while his heavy cavalry drove their horse from the field. Then, he would charge selected opponents or exposed enemy unit flanks with his cavalry before having the phalanx move against their center.
Q: Why did early Greek city states not rely on cavalry?
A: Early Greek city states often fought on narrow valley floors where cavalry was not so important or even non-existent. However, in battles such as those between Greece and Persia, they were fought on more open land where cavalry became a great force.
Q: What happened at Gaugamela?
A: At Gaugamela, Alexander maneuvered to prevent a double envelopment from Darius' Persian army by having his Companion Cavalry charge Darius' weakened center while being followed by his phalanx formation.
Q: What made Macedonian Phalanges impregnable from front?
A: The Macedonian Phalanges were impregnable from front due to its formation of spearmen carrying long spears called sarissas that could be used for defense and offense simultaneously.
Q: How did Macedonia protect its Phalanges during battles?
A: The system required protection which it got from Macedonian Cavalry which was flexible enough to provide protection against attacks coming from sides and back where it could be attacked by enemy cavalry forces.
Q: What kind of weapons did spearmen carry in this formation?
A: Spearmen carried 18 to 20 ft (5.5–6 m) long spears called sarissas which were two-handed and had smaller shields slung over their left shoulder for additional protection during battle.
