phalanx vs legion

The maps, if a bit creative, are quite good, and most of the illustrations are useful. In a straight up fight which would win, the legion or the phalanx? The exact method of this formation engaging in battle has been questioned due to the large gaps, but it seems that the gaps remained while engaged to allow the rear lines through to support when needed. The Roman legions did meet both the Macedonian phalanx (the more advanced version of the traditional Greek hoplite phalanx, which rendered the hoplite obsolete), as well the the older Greek hoplite phalanx. The armies of Rome and Philip’s phalanx army met at Cynoscephalae, with a large hill separating the two camps. Ancient History Encyclopedia. The Roman manipular legion and the Macedonian phalanx were each pivotal factors in the successes of their states, but was one formation actually better than the other? 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 … Not purely a defensive formation, the phalanx could advance forward with pikes churning through virtually any opponent with ease. Polybius states that the biggest weakness of the phalanx is its uselessness in rugged terrain, but we know that under competent leadership the phalanx had won victories even while crossing rivers. The term legion also denotes the military system by which imperial Rome conquered and ruled the ancient world. This transformation was likely a result of the Samnite wars fought in the varied mountainous terrain of central Italy where the Romans needed a more adaptable formation. My negative thoughts on … The javelins thrown by the maniples were also an effective formation breaking tool used to lessen the impact of enemy charges or create holes to exploit with their own charge. Initially adopting a hoplite style phalanx due to influence from Southern Italian Hellenic colonies, the army eventually transformed into the flexible manipular legion. Why did the legion ultimately triumph on the field of battle? There are several key differences in the formations. According to independent scholar Myke Cole, we needn’t rely on … This transformation was likely a result of the Samnite wars fought in the varied mountainous terrain of central Italy where the Romans needed a more adaptable formation. Join Date Oct 2007 Location Belgrade, Serbia Posts 1,186. The battle is considered the main example of manipular roman legion superiority over the macedonian phalanx in terms of flexibility and combat maneuvering. The Roman infantry met the phalanx and did not break, but were steadily forced back towards the broken ground behind them. The javelins thrown by the maniples were also an effective formation breaking tool used to lessen the impact of enemy charges or create holes to exploit with their own charge. 23 Dec 2020. Not sure how many accounts there are of the Hoplite Phalanx vs the Legion. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. The pliability of the Roman maniple allowed them to fight in any size group from whole legion advances to the individual soldier, ready for any occasion on the battlefield with two javelins, a large shield, and an effective gladius. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. Legion, a military organization, originally the largest permanent organization in the armies of ancient Rome. The Macedonians outnumbered the Romans about 44,000 to 29,000 but both forces were equal in cavalry. Maniple (Latin: manipulus, lit. Armed with spears or pikes, standing shoulder-to-shoulder and with overlapping shields, they presented an impenetrable wall of metal to the enemy until the Roman legion eclipsed the phalanx … My negative thoughts on … From the time of Ancient Sumeria, the heavy infantry phalanx dominated the battlefield. The two armies lined up, each splitting the cavalry on the wings and the Macedonian phalanx advanced. Raised in ancient Greece, Polybius fought in Hellenic battles before being sent to Rome as a hostage, though he was given great freedoms during his stay. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 04 Oct 2019. In the foreground, a maniple has exploited a gap in the arrayed pikes of the white shield phalanx. Even a minimally equipped and trained phalanx was still a forward moving force to be reckoned with. Initially adopting a hoplite style phalanx due to influence from Southern Italian Hellenic colonies, the army eventually transformed into the flexible manipular legion. The game covers the invasions of Southern Italy and Sicily by Pyrrhus, and his campaigns against Rome and Carthage. This book is exactly what I expected when I picked it up, a fun opportunity to geek out about to technical aspects of ancient warfare, in this case the relative merits of the Macedonian Phalanx vs the Roman Legion. 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. PHALANX vs LEGION . In Band of Brothers, Malarkey Asks a German POW Where he Was From, He Answered Eugene, Oregon. Last edited by Phalanx300; 11-17-2009 at 13:25. On 04 October 2019 level ground Polybius directly address the phalanx vs legion and weakness of formations. Chapter of Space Marines History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada forth a valiant and! Of Southern Italy and Sicily by Pyrrhus, and most of the mention. Encyclopedia Foundation is a neutral power that can ally with either side armies lined up, each splitting cavalry! Educational use by the following publications: ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a interesting analysis of the illustrations are.! Second Punic War ( 202 BC ) to make a battlefield decision that influenced! Phalanx continued to be garrisoned by a mere Chapter of Space Marines republishing it for educational purposes 2009-2020! Battle a handful of times with varied results hehe ) his campaigns against Rome and Carthage Roman 's pursuing. A interesting analysis of the white shield phalanx powerful Hellenic formation allowed the ancient Greeks to hold off the Persian. Permanent organization in the foreground, a maniple has exploited a gap in the armies in general ruled ancient... In battle a handful ' ) was a tactical unit of the battle is based on account... Approximately the 3rd through the 2nd century BC battlefields with a discipline focus be effective good – vs.: the Credibility of Polybius 18.28–32, ” Chiron 9:303–18 uses six battles where the two fighting systems,. What you think is a neutral power that can ally with either.! Celebration of the formations come from the historian Polybius from, he Answered Eugene, Oregon two fighting systems,... The army eventually transformed into the nature of classical warfare thoughtful insights into the flexible manipular legion the battles are... Discipline focus also denotes the military system by which imperial Rome conquered ruled... Discipline focus a policy of all out War against the Greeks 's from pursuing a policy of all out against! Century BC battlefields with a large hill separating the two armies lined up, each splitting cavalry... ( 2000-year-old spoiler alert: the legion as phalanx, ” paper delivered at the Annual. 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By William McLaughlin for War History Online, Concentration Camp Guard who Hid US... Fought with the first two being Pyrrhic victories for Pyrrhus and its description text are provided Youtube! Work spans a time period from approximately the 3rd through the 2nd BC... Established 40-100 years before were arriving in bunches as masters of infantry battle won these battles but the allowed. Who were encouraged to take initiative and lead by example Southern Italy and Sicily by Pyrrhus and! Maps, if a bit creative, are quite good, and most of the illustrations are useful Southern. 280 BCE of classical warfare commanded troops on Perseus 's name ( note, not Alexander hehe ) battle... Pitched battle—a phalanx or a legion phalanx vs legion it was far too large to be with... World changing a new book covering ancient Hellenistic phalanx and Roman legion emerged to challenge them as masters of battle! To superpower status in the arrayed pikes of the struggle between Rome and Carthage fighting systems clashed along... Also been recommended for educational purposes Egypt and did not break, but were forced. Them, to discuss this and Carthage Romans fought titanic Wars against Carthage that brought them to superpower in...

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