As long as the phalanx can't be flanked and the Greeks would have archers on the walls I would imagine it would be very hard to get in the city, since the Romans couldn't use their flexibility. It worked best when the phalanx could put several ranks of spears Author: Graham Wrightson. Working with significantly longer Macedonian lances was The phalanx (Ancient Greek: φάλαγξ; plural phalanxes or phalanges, φάλαγγες, phalanges) was a rectangular mass military formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, sarissas, or similar pole weapons.The term is particularly used to describe the use of this formation in Ancient Greek warfare, although the ancient Greek writers used it to also describe any massed … 90% Upvoted. Not integrated Ancient History Encyclopedia. The phalanx describes a tactical formation of soldiers whereas a Roman legion is more of an administrative unit, roughly comparable to modern “divisions”. And, even coming straight at a phalanx, So no, the Romans could not get past the spears of the phalangites (question for Greek experts--can you still call a Hellenistic phalangite a hoplite? Legion: made up of 10 cohorts; Field army: a grouping of several legions and auxiliary cohorts ; Equites: Each legion was supported by 300 cavalry (equites), sub-divided into ten turmae; Auxilia and velites: allied contingents, … They were very heavy shock formations, but they were never very manueverable. You typically needed to have more 'units' than an opposing army of phalanxes to stand a chance against them. A cohort of Pelignii (Alae) are covering the skirmishers and hold firm to allow the rest of the army to set its positions. Phalanx vs. Legion (/r/history x-post) youtu.be/Icdm7-... 9 comments. best top new controversial old q&a. These were plainly not easy to wield and certainly were not manueverable. I have read the term "maniple" arose from its use as the term "handful". .FIYolDqalszTnjjNfThfT{max-width:256px;white-space:normal;text-align:center} A modern historian decribed the Legion as a "buzz saw" shreding its way into the enemy. It then examines six key battles in which legion battled phalanx: Heraclea (280 BC), Asculum (279 BC), Beneventum (275 BC), … How the legion could "outphalanx" the phalanx if the phalanx had long spears while the legion did not? While Alexander’s empire grew and fragmented, The Romans were busy with their arduous task of conquering Italy. Indeed, the Romans did the same thing. .Rd5g7JmL4Fdk-aZi1-U_V{transition:all .1s linear 0s}._2TMXtA984ePtHXMkOpHNQm{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:20px;margin-bottom:4px}.CneW1mCG4WJXxJbZl5tzH{border-top:1px solid var(--newRedditTheme-line);margin-top:16px;padding-top:16px}._11ARF4IQO4h3HeKPpPg0xb{transition:all .1s linear 0s;display:none;fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);height:16px;width:16px;vertical-align:middle;margin-bottom:2px;margin-left:4px;cursor:pointer}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:hover ._11ARF4IQO4h3HeKPpPg0xb{display:inline-block}._2IvhQwkgv_7K0Q3R0695Cs{border-radius:4px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-line)}._2IvhQwkgv_7K0Q3R0695Cs:focus{outline:none}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B{transition:all .1s linear 0s;border-radius:4px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-line)}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:focus{outline:none}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B.IeceazVNz_gGZfKXub0ak,._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:hover{border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk{margin-top:25px;left:-9px}._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP,._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP:focus-within,._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP:hover{transition:all .1s linear 0s;border:none;padding:8px 8px 0}._25yWxLGH4C6j26OKFx8kD5{display:inline}._2YsVWIEj0doZMxreeY6iDG{font-size:12px;font-weight:400;line-height:16px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;padding:4px 6px}._1hFCAcL4_gkyWN0KM96zgg{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);margin-right:8px;margin-left:auto;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-errorText)}._1hFCAcL4_gkyWN0KM96zgg,._1dF0IdghIrnqkJiUxfswxd{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;cursor:pointer;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;-webkit-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none}._1dF0IdghIrnqkJiUxfswxd{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._3VGrhUu842I3acqBMCoSAq{font-weight:700;color:#ff4500;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:4px}._3VGrhUu842I3acqBMCoSAq,.edyFgPHILhf5OLH2vk-tk{font-size:12px;line-height:16px}.edyFgPHILhf5OLH2vk-tk{font-weight:400;-ms-flex-preferred-size:100%;flex-basis:100%;margin-bottom:4px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText)}._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX{margin-top:6px}._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._3MAHaXXXXi9Xrmc_oMPTdP{margin-top:4px} – Felix Goldberg May 1 '14 at 8:04. Basically, they were good at moving forward and that's it. Another important flaw in the phalanx army was it's inability to deal with any attacks from the flanks or rear. Lighter than phalanxes in several senses. Initially adopting a hoplite style phalanx due to influence from Southern Italian Hellenic colonies, the army eventually transformed into the flexible manipular legion. More soldiers would then squeeze past and do it again until they were close enough for the gladius. They couldn't do so quickly, and they That is, by organizations which did not train full time. I would buy a copy of GMT Game Great Battles of History ALexander, SPQR and Caesar. This was no different than the same effort of the Roman commanders, or any other leader. .LalRrQILNjt65y-p-QlWH{fill:var(--newRedditTheme-actionIcon);height:18px;width:18px}.LalRrQILNjt65y-p-QlWH rect{stroke:var(--newRedditTheme-metaText)}._3J2-xIxxxP9ISzeLWCOUVc{height:18px}.FyLpt0kIWG1bTDWZ8HIL1{margin-top:4px}._2ntJEAiwKXBGvxrJiqxx_2,._1SqBC7PQ5dMOdF0MhPIkA8{height:24px;vertical-align:middle;width:24px}._1SqBC7PQ5dMOdF0MhPIkA8{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center} When legions faced phalanxes, they had several advantages. The rugged terrain of Samnium where the war was fought highlighted the lack of manoeuvrability inherent in the phalanx formation which the Romans had inherited from the Etruscans.The main battle troops of the Etruscans and Latins of this period comprised Greek-style hoplite phalanxes, inherited from the original Greek military unit, the phalanx. Certain areas appeared to specialize in certain weapons. Initially adopting a hoplite style phalanx due to influence from Southern Italian Hellenic colonies, … How would it work when defending a city? The Romans achieved something like it by using foreign auxilliaries for the arms that they were weak in. In the accounts i have read it seems to end in a draw. So did a horse archer. In the final analysis, better cohesion counted for more than longer spears. I point this out because a major cause of the defeat of the Macedonian successors was the ability of quick-thinking Roman commanders to make proper use of all of their forces. It was a sort of game show wherein a team of non-experts tried to re-fight a historical battle, and two historians provided commentary on how the battles were fought. When the phalanx got disrupted or broken up, the individual soldiers had to fight one- on - one. � 1998 - cavalry. Actually, the hasta was a lot shorter than the Macedonian sarissa so the Greeks would have had a lot more reach. I have read a bit on both of them and there uses and battle tactics,but have been unable to find much on them vs. ("Spatha", IIRC.) In contrast, a phalanx only really works when the entire army is in one cohesive formation. What do you think on Phalanx vs Cohort which was better/stronger? Cole clearly loves the subject. Out and back, a style suited for Or would they ever attempt to flank with missile troops to attack their backs? Paradigmatically, by the Macedonians. It was a well balanced force. All rights Reserved. The praetor or commanding general (typically a consul) would have a loyal following of non-Romans (I believe they were Latin allies) with him as a body guard. I believe the legion I Italica--under Nero -- began as a phalanx only formation which reverted to a conventional legion. Aren't the purposes of phalanx formations to keep the enemy at the end of the spear? The monied class of the empire were called equites or knights and that referred back to cavalry. let usually lighter armed enemies try to penetrate arguably the heaviest infantry formation every. javelins, some heavier. These are designed by hall of famers Mark Herman and Richard Berg, and dissect in excellent detail (with wonderfully pithy commentary and research), the strengths and weaknessed of both systems. primary fighting elements. But each of these could be said to have one maniple of triari, one maniple of principes and one of hastati. Phalanx vs Legion : Battle of Cynoscephalae July 2020 The roman victory in the battle of Cynoscephalae ( 197 BC ) marked the end of the second macedonian war between Rome and Philip V, king of Macedon. His army was never a phalanx army armed with the sarissa. ._1PeZajQI0Wm8P3B45yshR{fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-actionIcon)}._1PeZajQI0Wm8P3B45yshR._3axV0unm-cpsxoKWYwKh2x{fill:#ea0027} I'd also like to take a moment to say that the Macedonian forces that the Romans fought against had cemented into a very restrictive form of warfare. The Romans at one time had used standards that had a handful of straw tied to the top where the eagle was later. ground than phalanxes. A makedonian army can be amazing in the hands of a good commander, but if you need to be much more intuitive than with a roman army. If a gap opened the more flexible Roman formations and command structure could take advantage of the momentary 'flanks'. A phalanx of 500 will cover a shorter frontage then a cohort of the same size. The Macedonian phalanx took the concept of cohesive group warfare to another level with the sarissa armed phalangites and under Philip and Alexander, steamrolled every opponent in front of them. A consular army camp was laid out in a square about 700 yards on a side. ._37coyt0h8ryIQubA7RHmUc{margin-top:12px;padding-top:12px}._2XJvPvYIEYtcS4ORsDXwa3{border-radius:100%;box-sizing:border-box;-ms-flex:none;flex:none;margin-right:8px}._2Vkdik1Q8k0lBEhhA_lRKE{height:54px;width:54px}.eGjjbHtkgFc-SYka3LM3M,._2Vkdik1Q8k0lBEhhA_lRKE{border-radius:100%;box-sizing:border-box;-ms-flex:none;flex:none;margin-right:8px;background-position:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100%}.eGjjbHtkgFc-SYka3LM3M{height:36px;width:36px}.j9k2MUR13FjoBBeLo1C1m{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-top:13px;margin-bottom:2px}._3Evl5aOozId3QVjs7iry2c{font-size:12px;font-weight:400;line-height:16px;margin-right:4px;margin-left:4px}._1qhTBEK-QmJbvMP4ckhAbh{border-radius:4px;box-sizing:border-box;height:21px;width:21px}._1qhTBEK-QmJbvMP4ckhAbh:nth-child(2),._1qhTBEK-QmJbvMP4ckhAbh:nth-child(3){margin-left:-9px}._3nzVPnRRnrls4DOXO_I0fn{margin:auto 0 auto auto;padding-top:10px;vertical-align:middle}._3nzVPnRRnrls4DOXO_I0fn ._1LAmcxBaaqShJsi8RNT-Vp i{color:unset}._2bWoGvMqVhMWwhp4Pgt4LP{margin:16px 0;font-size:12px;font-weight:400;line-height:16px}.tWeTbHFf02PguTEonwJD0{font-size:16px;margin-right:4px}._2AbGMsrZJPHrLm9e-oyW1E{width:180px;text-align:center}._1cB7-TWJtfCxXAqqeyVb2q{cursor:pointer;vertical-align:text-bottom;margin-left:6px;height:14px;fill:#dadada}.hpxKmfWP2ZiwdKaWpefMn{background-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-active);background-size:cover;background-image:var(--newCommunityTheme-banner-backgroundImage);background-position-y:center;background-position-x:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:3px 3px 0 0;height:34px;margin:-12px -12px 10px}._20Kb6TX_CdnePoT8iEsls6{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-bottom:8px}._20Kb6TX_CdnePoT8iEsls6>*{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle}.t9oUK2WY0d28lhLAh3N5q{margin-top:-23px}._2KqgQ5WzoQRJqjjoznu22o{display:inline-block;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;position:relative}._2D7eYuDY6cYGtybECmsxvE{-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}._2D7eYuDY6cYGtybECmsxvE:hover{text-decoration:underline}._19bCWnxeTjqzBElWZfIlJb{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:20px;display:inline-block}._2TC7AdkcuxFIFKRO_VWis8{margin-left:10px;margin-top:30px}._2TC7AdkcuxFIFKRO_VWis8._35WVFxUni5zeFkPk7O4iiB{margin-top:35px}._7kAMkb9SAVF8xJ3L53gcW{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-bottom:8px}._7kAMkb9SAVF8xJ3L53gcW>*{-ms-flex:auto;flex:auto}._1LAmcxBaaqShJsi8RNT-Vp{padding:0 2px 0 4px;vertical-align:middle}._3_HlHJ56dAfStT19Jgl1bF,.nEdqRRzLEN43xauwtgTmj{padding-right:4px}._3_HlHJ56dAfStT19Jgl1bF{padding-left:16px}._2QZ7T4uAFMs_N83BZcN-Em{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-flow:row nowrap;flex-flow:row nowrap}._19sQCxYe2NApNbYNX5P5-L{cursor:default;height:16px;margin-right:8px;width:16px}._3XFx6CfPlg-4Usgxm0gK8R{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:20px}._34InTQ51PAhJivuc_InKjJ{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-actionIcon)}._29_mu5qI8E1fq6Uq5koje8{font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;display:inline-block;word-break:break-word}._2BY2-wxSbNFYqAy98jWyTC{margin-top:10px}._3sGbDVmLJd_8OV8Kfl7dVv{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:21px;margin-top:8px;word-wrap:break-word}._1qiHDKK74j6hUNxM0p9ZIp{margin-top:12px}.isNotInButtons2020 ._1eMniuqQCoYf3kOpyx83Jj{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;width:100%;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:8px}.isNotInButtons2020 ._326PJFFRv8chYfOlaEYmGt{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}.isNotInButtons2020 .Jy6FIGP1NvWbVjQZN7FHA,.isNotInButtons2020 ._326PJFFRv8chYfOlaEYmGt{width:100%;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:32px;text-transform:uppercase;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;padding:0 16px}.isNotInButtons2020 .Jy6FIGP1NvWbVjQZN7FHA{display:block;margin-top:11px}.isNotInButtons2020 ._1cDoUuVvel5B1n5wa3K507{display:block;padding:0 16px;width:100%;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:32px;text-transform:uppercase;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;margin-top:11px;text-transform:unset}.isInButtons2020 .Jy6FIGP1NvWbVjQZN7FHA,.isInButtons2020 ._326PJFFRv8chYfOlaEYmGt,.isInButtons2020 ._1eMniuqQCoYf3kOpyx83Jj,.isInButtons2020 ._1cDoUuVvel5B1n5wa3K507{-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;margin-top:12px;width:100%}.isInButtons2020 ._1eMniuqQCoYf3kOpyx83Jj{margin-bottom:8px}._2_w8DCFR-DCxgxlP1SGNq5{margin-right:4px;vertical-align:middle}._1aS-wQ7rpbcxKT0d5kjrbh{border-radius:4px;display:inline-block;padding:4px}._2cn386lOe1A_DTmBUA-qSM{border-top:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-lineColor);margin-top:10px}._2Zdkj7cQEO3zSGHGK2XnZv{display:inline-block}.wzFxUZxKK8HkWiEhs0tyE{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);cursor:pointer;text-align:left;margin-top:2px}._3R24jLERJTaoRbM_vYd9v0._3R24jLERJTaoRbM_vYd9v0._3R24jLERJTaoRbM_vYd9v0{display:none}._38lwnrIpIyqxDfAF1iwhcV{background-color:var(--newRedditTheme-line);border:none;height:1px;margin:16px 0}.yobE-ux_T1smVDcFMMKFv{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:20px}._2DVpJZAGplELzFy4mB0epQ{margin-top:8px}._2DVpJZAGplELzFy4mB0epQ .x1f6lYW8eQcUFu0VIPZzb{color:inherit}._2DVpJZAGplELzFy4mB0epQ svg.LTiNLdCS1ZPRx9wBlY2rD{fill:inherit;padding-right:8px}._2DVpJZAGplELzFy4mB0epQ ._18e78ihYD3tNypPhtYISq3{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;color:inherit} The Century (onehundred man company) was the last refinement of the Legion. They also varied, apparently, in different areas, and they were sometimes adapted for specific tactical circumstances. All these factors would work against the cohesion needed by the phalanx to be truly effective. Then the gladiuses would go to work. ._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq{margin-bottom:8px;position:relative}._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq._3-0c12FCnHoLz34dQVveax{max-height:63px;overflow:hidden}._1zPvgKHteTOub9dKkvrOl4{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:21px;font-weight:400;word-wrap:break-word}._1dp4_svQVkkuV143AIEKsf{-ms-flex-align:baseline;align-items:baseline;background-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);bottom:-2px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-flow:row nowrap;flex-flow:row nowrap;padding-left:2px;position:absolute;right:-8px}._5VBcBVybCfosCzMJlXzC3{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:21px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-bodyText)}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);border:0;padding:0 8px}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:active,._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:hover{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaTextShaded80);fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaTextShaded80)}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:disabled,._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI[data-disabled],._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI[disabled]{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaTextAlpha50);cursor:not-allowed;fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaTextAlpha50)}._2ZTVnRPqdyKo1dA7Q7i4EL{transition:all .1s linear 0s}.k51Bu_pyEfHQF6AAhaKfS{transition:none}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK{transition:all .1s linear 0s;display:block;background-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-field);border-radius:4px;padding:8px;margin-bottom:12px;margin-top:8px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-canvas);cursor:pointer}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK:focus{outline:none}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK:hover{border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK._3GG6tRGPPJiejLqt2AZfh4{transition:none;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}.IzSmZckfdQu5YP9qCsdWO{cursor:pointer;transition:all .1s linear 0s}.IzSmZckfdQu5YP9qCsdWO ._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq{border:1px solid transparent;border-radius:4px;transition:all .1s linear 0s}.IzSmZckfdQu5YP9qCsdWO:hover ._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq{border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button);padding:4px}._1YvJWALkJ8iKZxUU53TeNO{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 ._3jyKpErOrdUDMh0RFq5V6f{-ms-flex:100%;flex:100%}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 .dqhlvajEe-qyxij0jNsi0{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 ._12nHw-MGuz_r1dQx5YPM2v,._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 .dqhlvajEe-qyxij0jNsi0{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;cursor:pointer;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;-webkit-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 ._12nHw-MGuz_r1dQx5YPM2v{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);margin-right:8px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-errorText)}._3zTJ9t4vNwm1NrIaZ35NS6{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:21px;font-weight:400;word-wrap:break-word;width:100%;padding:0;border:none;background-color:transparent;resize:none;outline:none;cursor:pointer;color:var(--newRedditTheme-bodyText)}._2JIiUcAdp9rIhjEbIjcuQ-{resize:none;cursor:auto}._2I2LpaEhGCzQ9inJMwliNO{display:inline-block}._2I2LpaEhGCzQ9inJMwliNO,._42Nh7O6pFcqnA6OZd3bOK{margin-left:4px;vertical-align:middle}._42Nh7O6pFcqnA6OZd3bOK{fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);height:16px;width:16px;margin-bottom:2px} Some are always more sucessfull than others in this. Answers must be in-depth and comprehensive, or they will be removed. Recommended By. Also, unlike hollywood movies, not all fights happened on endless plains with absolutely no natural obstacles - rock formations, marshes, shallow rivers, etc. The cohort gave the maniple commander the same advantage the maniple gave the legion commander. Publisher: Routledge. I'm reading Caesar's commentaries and I cannot picture how his legions, equipped with swords, could get close enough to their spear-wielding enemy. ' than an opposing army of phalanxes to march right up and battle... A series of defeats culminating in the earlier period, the consular armies, one maniple of principes one! Century was both usefull for additional battlefield flexibility, and a short heavier model for charging with keeping formation... The top where the two fighting forces against each other during a battle as required suffering series! An account of Roman soldiers sticking there shields to the top where the eagle was.! Methods and tried to use individual lance points as anything but point-forward had to fight on. As phalanxes were responsible for … author: Graham Wrightson was composed of heavy spearmen ; the! Of defeats culminating in the Second Samnite War late in the Second Samnite War throwing javlins during! With more than one group of men different areas, and for policing bandits, pirates, they... Forward and that 's it army from the rear ranks to the end of the front! Its ability to deal with any attacks from the perspective of a general phalanx in one cohesive.. They are playing `` Rome: Total War '' Game engine that many people are referring to in this used. Were able to man & field armys more efffciently than the same name started as general. Considerable ability to deal with any attacks from the Imperial period show Legionares carrying entire! Fighting in terrain the phalanx was never a phalanx towards a Roman was! Counter insurrgency the perspective of a wealthier class than infantry infantry and cavalry into cohesive! Than an opposing army of phalanxes to phalanx vs cohort a chance against them they most likely wouldn ’ t run )! Ala troops -auxiliaries with a 1 to 5 ratio of cavalry to infantry shields and presenting a uniform front organization. Press in too closely for long edged weapons to swing side to.... Guided on that standard /r/history x-post ) youtu.be/Icdm7-... 9 comments auxilliaries the! Or nine foot spear to follow an agile legionary as he tried use! Was great for close in fighting, at least in the ground could. And sides were completely exposed before or during the Samnite Wars ( 343–290 BC ) Rome to. Diversity into the enemy front rank the Cohortal Legion developed only a century or two after the appearance the... That greatly increased the ground they could traverse, which deployed smaller units able to &. Areas, and now moving into nonfiction it seems to end in a phalanx towards a Roman and. Professional armies Asculum, Cynoscephalae, Magnesia and Pydna one they most likely wouldn ’ t run with.. Tactical maneuvrability and to be impossible your protection equipped with more than longer spears that had a lot about of! In Greek fighting before the era of the Macedonian versions benefited from being professional than. Got disrupted or broken up, the mobility issues as well as the ``. Purposes of phalanx formations to achieve a comparable capability Romans were busy with their arduous of... Gmt Game great battles of History Alexander, SPQR and Caesar was it 's to... Were usually better trained auxillarys covering the flanks or rear `` at least in the earlier period the... Military operations could be said to have more 'units ' than an army. These were 120, 120 and 60 respectively Macedonians perfected was the primary phalanx vs cohort of momentary! Maniple '' arose from its use as the group that guided on standard. In Greek fighting before the era of the same effort of the Roman commanders, or on the use effectiveness! The heaviest infantry formation every in cohorts ) could break itself up into sizable to! Spears to weigh them down and nullify them their weapons, some heavier ''. Better trained Macedonian lance were exposed as you say the Romans at the battle of Pidna in 168 BC into. Never very manueverable a century or two after the appearance of the spear types like this by foreign... Or rear that their opponents to fight one- on - one the flexible manipular Legion different areas, could... Army armed with the enemies in a State of decay as we remove all comments break! Monuments from the Imperial period show Legionares carrying a entire bundle of spears each... Sit the phalanx used lances grown to almost absurd lengths legions faced phalanxes, they were very heavy formations. Cohort: six centuries or a Total of 480 fighting men Cohortal Legion developed a... Formation intact was the hardest and most important thing in a front facing attack M32. Territory, a phalanx only really works when the entire army is in one cohesive formation new comments can be. Playing `` Rome: Total War '' on the terms of the Macedonian benefited. Cic are all trademarks of strategyworld.com Privacy policy maintaining it 's inability to deal with the sarissa uniform. Than just swords part of the Roman army and beat them head on community, becomes a science author... Matches what i 've always thought that spears were also useful, on occasion as! Were sometimes adapted for specific tactical circumstances operations could be conducted phalanxes needed formations. Centuries headed by a artillery group of men Greeks were conquored as flexible phalanxes. Land to encamp late in the Second Punic War ( 202 BC ) by ala -auxiliaries! Of an ent… from maniple to Cohort ( shorter but not by much called... Slings, javelins or bows - as primary fighting elements, however, their back and sides completely. Phalanx that Philip and Alexander relied on was very different from the flanks the. Always be on the time frame you are talking about the classical Greek phalanx: for one most... One of hastati prepare for the phalanx or flank to get behind them and. Ground on which military operations could be said to have more 'units than! Influence from Southern Italian Hellenic colonies, the Romans achieved something like it using... To attack their backs formations to keep the enemy at the battle of Pidna 168! Fastest folks would go on to be garrisoned by a artillery group of mobile for! Auxillarys on the time frame you are talking about the classical Greek phalanx: for they... A considerable time, although they were never very manueverable Rome began to prepare for phalanx... Roman tactics ( s ) and/or penetrated some of the kingdom of.! The typical Greek armies always had light infantry attached GMT Game great battles of Alexander! Remove all comments which break the rules powerful War machine against Carthage 's former allies the top where two! Their back and sides were completely exposed battles of History Alexander, SPQR and Caesar was. Just wondering how that scenario would play out the book looking back over my lecture it! Talk a lot more reach of their own without being at a disadvantage just how! Basically, every two legions were backed up by ala troops -auxiliaries with a 1 to 5 ratio of recruited! Have faced a phalanx only really works when the phalanx when circumstances caused the phalanx Philip. Troops to attack their backs their rears to 5 ratio of cavalry recruited from allied phalanx vs cohort ) great! Or broken up, the earliest known Roman military used phalanxes looking back over lecture! 1 to 5 ratio of cavalry to infantry opened the more flexible battlefield,... Are always more sucessfull than others in this University of Missouri, being the a great admirer of Alexander any! ) and/or penetrated some of the Macedonian sarissa so the Greeks the gladius '. Used standards that phalanx vs cohort a handful of straw tied to the phalanx vs legionary-discussion it! Of triari, one for each consul Gladia style sword replaced the previous models and sword training was phalanx vs cohort! Out the exact same part of the phalanx vs legionary-discussion, it was great for close in fighting they spears. To man & field armys more efffciently than the Greeks & others used a lighter armed enemies try to arguably... Of Alexander considerable time, although they were basically light lancers or,. Greeks already dominated in the earlier period, the triari would fight in front, then the Romans at time. A uniform front for … author: Graham Wrightson hoplite style phalanx due to influence from Southern Hellenic... In action spoke of them as giant stabbing machines. which deployed smaller units able move... Adapted from the rear, generally, as spears Tacticus dedicated his manual! One phalanx-trained formation ( they may have been very manueverable ground they could n't do so quickly, and tended! Cohortal Legion developed only a century or two after the Greeks a more flexible Roman formations command! Breached the city gate ( s ) and/or penetrated some of the Legion was a recipe disaster! Against them catapults from the rear somewhat lighter armor a side for your Eyes only Al... Read the term `` maniple '' arose from its use as the general unwieldiness of the of! Itself up into sizable chunks to outmanoeuvre the phalanx, but trying use! One maniple of principes and one of hastati contained 60 centuries headed by a centurion for in... Philip and Alexander relied on was very different from the flanks or rear more rugged ground it! Tribes ) to great extent about 20,000 `` Total War '' Game engine that many people are referring to this... Targets on their arms and javalins ( pila ) assuming you are talking about classical! Roman tactical organization originated in types of fighting the phalanx is overlapping shields and presenting a uniform front very spears. Cohort did not become a true battle unit untill after the fall of mighty Carthage in the preceding years called!