Phalanx
Phalanx (Greek, “closed ranks”), among the Greeks, refers to the army in battle formation, especially the deployment of heavy infantry several ranks deep, primarily in the manner established by Philip II, King of Macedon, and which became common practice in the Hellenistic period. This Macedonian phalanx, which formed the center of the battle line, formed up to 16 tightly closed ranks deep, of which the first five held their 16-foot, later 14-foot, long pike, called sarissa, levelled, while the others carried them aloft. The individual regiments of phalangites (called pecetaries by the Macedonians), averaging 4,800 men, were also called phalanx or taxis; they were divided into 4 chiliarchies, these into 4 syntagmata, and the syntagma into 4 tetrarchies of 4 loches each. The significance of the phalanx lay in the force of its thrust towards the front and its impenetrability in defense. However, it lacked maneuverability; facing the enemy, any change of front, especially about-turns, was impossible; if the enemy managed to catch it in the rear or flank, it was lost, as it was formed too tightly to engage the enemy in melee, and was not equipped for that purpose. Thus, it ultimately succumbed to Roman warfare.
Available Miniatures
- Macedonian Phalangites, 1:72 HaT 8043
- Macedonian Phalanx, 1:72 Zvezda 8019
- Greek Mercenary Hoplites, 1:72 HaT 8045
- Spartans, 1:72 Zvezda 8068
- Ancient Greek Infantry, 5th to 4th Century B.C., 1:72 Zvezda 8005
Bibliography
- Connolly, Peter: The Greek Armies (Lond. 1977)
Source: Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon, 6. Auflage 1905–1909