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Sarissophoroi
The ''sarissophoroi'' (, bearers; singular: ''sarissophoros'' ), also called '' prodromoi'', were a unit of light cavalry in the ancient Macedonian army. Overview In the primary sources Arrian mentions that the Macedonian officer Aretes commanded the ''prodromoi'', in the same context Curtius says that Aretes commanded the ''sarissophoroi''. It would appear that the same unit of cavalry was known by both names. Scholarship is divided as to the ethnic composition of the ''sarissophoroi''/''prodromoi'' of the Macedonian army. Most authorities regard the ''sarissophoroi''/''prodromoi'' as being raised from Macedonians. This would parallel the composition of the Athenian ''prodromoi'', who were raised from the thetes, the lowest census class of Athenian citizens. Nicholas Sekunda, however, gives them an origin from Thrace. Arrian usually differentiates the ''prodromoi'' of the Macedonian army from the Paeonian light cavalry, which suggests a fixed ethnic composition. This uncertai ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prodromoi
In ancient Greece, the ''prodromoi'' (singular: ''prodromos'') were skirmisher light cavalry. Their name (ancient Greek: ''πρόδρομοι'', ''prοdromoi'', lit. "pre-cursors," "runners-before," or "runners-ahead") implies that these cavalry 'moved before the rest of the army' and were therefore intended for scouting and screening missions. They were usually equipped with javelins, and a sword. Sometimes they wore either linen or leather armour, as well as bronze helmets. Athenian ''prodromoi'' The ''prodromoi'' of Athens were mounted javelineers, raised between 395 and 360BC as a replacement for the ''hippotoxotai'', who were horse archers. The introduction of the ''prodromoi'' may have formed a part of the military reforms of Iphicrates. The Athenian ''prodromoi'', were raised from the Thetes, the lowest of the four census classes of Athenian citizens. Their members were, therefore, considerably poorer than the citizens who made up the ''Hippeis'', the heavy cavalry, who we ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sarissa
The sarissa or sarisa was a long spear or pike about in length. It was introduced by Philip II of Macedon and was used in his Macedonian phalanxes as a replacement for the earlier dory, which was considerably shorter. These longer spears improved the strength of the phalanx by extending the rows of overlapping weapons projecting towards the enemy. After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the sarissa was a mainstay during the Hellenistic era (4th–1st centuries BCE) by the Hellenistic armies of the diadochi Greek successor states of Alexander's empire, as well as some of their rivals. Composition and utility The sarissa is made of two core parts: a long wooden shaft and a metal tip. A third part that may have existed for some sarissas was a metal spear-butt at the reverse end. The metal butt of the sarissa could be used to safely stow it in the ground without damaging the shaft when not in use. Two types of wood are favored as likely candidates for the shaft: ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ancient Macedonian Army
The Kingdom of Macedon possessed one of the greatest armies in the ancient world. It is reputed for the speed and efficiency with which it emerged from Greece to conquer large swathes of territory stretching from Egypt in the west to India in the east. Initially of little account in the Greek world, it was widely regarded as a second-rate power before being made formidable by Philip II, whose son and successor Alexander the Great conquered the Achaemenid Empire in just over a decade's time. The latest innovations in weapons and tactics were adopted and refined by Philip, and he created a uniquely flexible and effective army. By introducing military service as a full-time occupation, Philip was able to drill his men regularly, ensuring unity and cohesion in his ranks. In a remarkably short time, this led to the development of one of what was among the world's finest military machines for the era. Tactical improvements included the latest developments in the deployment of the tra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aretes
Aretes () or Aretas () was a Macedonian general. At the Battle of Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela ( ; ), also called the Battle of Arbela (), took place in 331 BC between the forces of the Ancient Macedonian army, Army of Macedon under Alexander the Great and the Achaemenid Army, Persian Army under Darius III, ..., he commanded the sarissophoroi (also known as '' prodromoi''), a unit of versatile cavalry, adept at scouting, but with an ability for close-combat in battle. He replaced Protomachus as the commander of this unit. At Gaugamela, the ''sarissophoroi'' were responsible for finally routing the Persian left wing cavalry, winning the battle in this sector. In their final charge, the ''sarissophoroi'' broke the Massagetae heavy cavalry, Aretes personally killing their leader.Sidnell, p. 113 References Bibliography *Ashley, J.R. (2004) ''The Macedonian Empire: The Era of Warfare Under Philip II and Alexander the Great, 359-323 B.C.'' McFarland. * *''Who's who i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Light Cavalry
Light cavalry comprised lightly armed and body armor, armored cavalry troops mounted on fast horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the mounted riders (and sometimes the warhorses) were heavily armored. The purpose of light cavalry was primarily raid (military), raiding, reconnaissance, screening (tactical), screening, skirmishing, patrolling, and tactical communications. Prior to the 17th century they were usually armed with swords, spears, javelins, or bow and arrow, bows, and later on with Sabre, sabres, pistols, shotguns, or carbines. Light cavalry was used infrequently by Ancient Greece, Ancient Greeks (who used hippeis such as prodromoi or sarissophoroi) and Ancient Rome, Ancient Romans (who used auxiliaries (Roman military), auxiliaries such as Numidian cavalry, equites Numidarum or equites Maurorum), but were more common among the armies of Eastern Europe, North Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia. The Arabs, Cossacks, Hungarian people, Hungarians, Hu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Naousa Tomb Painting, K , a village on the island of Paros, in the Cyclades, Greece
{{Disambiguation, Geodis ...
Naousa or Naoussa may refer to: *Naousa, Imathia, a town in Imathia, Macedonia, Greece ** Naousa massacre, 1822 ** Naoussa F.C., a football club *Naousa, Paros Naousa () is a fishing village and community in the Cyclades. It is located in the northeastern corner of the island of Paros Paros (; ; ) is a Greek island in the central Aegean Sea. Part of the Cyclades island group, it lies to the west of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nicholas Sekunda
Nicholas Victor Sekunda (born 5 November 1953) is an archaeologist and historian. He is currently the Head of the Department of Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Gdańsk. His areas of research include war in antiquity, the Achaemenid Empire (First Persian Empire), the Hellenistic era after the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic armies of the Greek successor states (diadochi), and the History of Crete. Biography Sekunda was born in 1953 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom; his father was Polish. He studied ancient history and archeology at the University of Manchester for his education, earning a BA in 1975. Staying in Manchester, he earned his PhD in 1981, with his thesis on Cretan archers. Sekunda published journal articles in the 1980s and 90s, although also worked in industry. He returned to academia in 1997 to work at the Institute of Archeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. His habilitation in 2002 was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thrace
Thrace (, ; ; ; ) is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe roughly corresponding to the province of Thrace in the Roman Empire. Bounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Sea to the east, it comprises present-day southeastern Bulgaria (Northern Thrace), northeastern Greece (Western Thrace), and the European part of Turkey (East Thrace). Lands also inhabited by ancient Thracians extended in the north to modern-day Northern Bulgaria and Romania and to the west into Macedonia (region), Macedonia. Etymology The word ''Thrace'', from ancient Greek ''Thrake'' (Θρᾴκη), referred originally to the Thracians (ancient Greek ''Thrakes'' Θρᾷκες), an ancient people inhabiting Southeast Europe. The name ''Europe'' (ancient Greek Εὐρώπη), also at first referred to this region, before that term expanded to include its Europe, modern sense. It has been suggested that the name ''Thrace'' derives from the na ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pezhetairos
The pezhetairoi (Greek: , singular: ''pezhetairos)'' were the backbone of the Macedonian army and Diadochi kingdoms. They were literally "foot companions" (in Greek, ''pezos'' means "pedestrian" and ''hetairos'' means "companion" or "friend"). The Macedonian phalanxes were made up almost entirely of pezhetairoi. Pezhetairoi were very effective against both enemy cavalry and infantry, as their long pikes could be used to impale enemies charging on horseback or to keep enemy infantry with shorter weapons at bay. Description The pezhetairoi were the battalions of the Macedonian phalanx. They first came to prominence during the reign of Philip II, particularly when they played important role in Philip's subjugation of Greece at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. Philip created this unit by lengthening the spear to the point of becoming a true pike, removing the heavy armor, and replacing the large shield with a smaller alternative. They were armed with the sarissa, a long spear ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xyston
The xyston ( "spear, javelin (weapon), javelin; pointed or spiked stick, goad), was a type of a long thrusting spear in ancient Greece. It measured about long and was probably held by the cavalryman with both hands. It had a wooden shaft and a spear-point at both ends. Possible reasons for the secondary spear-tip were that it acted partly as a counterweight and also served as a backup in case the xyston was broken in action. The xyston is usually mentioned in context with the ''Companion cavalry, hetairoi'' (), the cavalry forces of ancient Macedon. After Alexander the Great's death, the ''hetairoi'' were named ''xystophoroi'' (, "spear-bearers") because of their use of the xyston lance. In his Greek-written ''Bellum Judaicum'', the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus uses the term ''xyston'' to describe the Ancient Rome, Roman throwing javelin, the ''pilum''. The xyston was wielded either underarm or overarm, presumably as a matter of personal preference. It was also known, especia ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Battle Of Gaugamela
The Battle of Gaugamela ( ; ), also called the Battle of Arbela (), took place in 331 BC between the forces of the Ancient Macedonian army, Army of Macedon under Alexander the Great and the Achaemenid Army, Persian Army under Darius III, King Darius III. It was the second and final battle between the two kings, and is considered to be the final blow to the Achaemenid Empire, resulting in its complete conquest by Alexander. The fighting took place in Gaugamela, a village on the banks of the river Khazir River, Bumodus, north of Arbela (modern-day Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan). Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Army of Macedon emerged victorious due to the employment of superior tactics and the clever usage of light infantry forces. It was a decisive victory for the League of Corinth, and it led to the fall of the Achaemenid Empire and of Darius III. Background In November 333 BC, Darius III, King Darius III had lost the Battle of Issus to Alexander the Great, which res ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
