Lecture

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Lecture 4Alexander the Great and the
Macedonian System
Evolution of Warfare
Capt Gillingham, USMC Rm 156 Reynolds Coliseum (
919) 515-8930
tmgillin_at_ncsu.edu
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Agenda

• Quiz
• Basic Military Symbology
• Issues For Consideration/Discussion
• The Rise of Macedonia
• The Macedonian Military System
• Alexanders Persian Campaign
• Alexander as Military Commander

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QUIZ
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Issues For Consideration

• What were the organizational and tactical
  improvements of the Macedonian military system
  350-320 B.C.?
  
• Describe the tactics and strategy of Alexander at
  the Battle of Arbela.
  
• How did the principles of war apply to
  Alexanders campaigns?
  
• Describe Alexander's unique resolution of the
  land power-sea power dichotomy
  
• Know and describe Alexanders 4 Major Battles
  against Persia.
  
• Evaluate Alexander as Military Commander

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Issues For Discussion

• Discuss the pros cons of the Persian strategy
  not adopted of attacking Alexanders logistical
  support base. (Not a single house to be burned)
  
• Discuss how Alexanders land campaign influenced
  the Persian fleet.
  
• Articulate this campaign at the three levels of
  war.
  
• How did Alexander employ cavalry and infantry as
  combined arms?
  
• How did Alexanders heavy cavalry affect his
  enemies?
  
• How did the principles of war apply to
  Alexanders campaigns?
  
• Know and describe Alexanders 4 Major Battles
  against Persia.
  
• Evaluate Alexander as Military Commander

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Basic Military Symbology
Friendly Unit
Enemy Unit
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Reconnaissance units
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Alexanders Rule

• Died of Malaria 13 June 323 B.C.
• 33 years old
• 12 year rule

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Macedonia and its occupied territories in 359 BC
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Philip of Macedon - King of Macedonia and
conqueror of Illyria, Thrace, and Greece
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Macedonian Expansion 348 BC
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Macedonia at Philip's death (336 BC)
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The Macedonian Military System

• Philip had formed the first national standing
  army consisting of
  
• Citizens owing military service
• Volunteers from the nobility
• Auxiliary troops from tributary states
• Mercenaries employed for some special skill
• Organized army to improve articulation control
• Tetrarchia (platoon) - 64 men
• Taxiarchia (company) - 128 men
• Syntagma (battalion) - 256 men
• Chiliarchia (regiment) - 1024 men

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The Macedonian Army

• Philip built the first scientifically organized
  army on the continent of Europe
  
• Professional army that was drilled until they
  could function as a cohesive unit
  
• Fielded army
• First use of Combined Arms
• The details of the Macedonian staff system are
  not well-known but must have been quite thorough
  and extensive
  
• Command was exercised by voice, by trumpet, and
  by spear movement
  
• Long range communications were accomplished by
  smoke signals or fire beacons
  
• Beginning of Generalship

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Heavy Infantry

• Improved the Phalanx by providing longer spear
  (Sarissa) about 21 ft long and increasing the
  depth from 8 to 16 ranks
  
• Reduced the need for armor especially in the rear
  ranks (less cost)
  

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Heavy Infantry

• In battle formation, the Sarissa of the first
  five ranks protruded into an impenetrable hedge,
  while the remaining ranks grounded or carried
  their Sarissa at a 45 degree angle to deflect
  missiles from overhead
• Emphasis changed from the individual effort of
  the front rank to the entire unit

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Heavy Infantry

• On level ground this mobile force was invincible
  when it bore down with locked shields and
  bristling points. But formation had weaknesses.
  Its flanks and rear were open to attack, but it
  was better able to maneuver over rough terrain
  than previous phalanx
• Flanks and rear of formation protected by Light
  Infantry
  
• Peltasts (Supporting light pike men)
• Psiloi (Included archers, slingers, and javelin
  men)
  

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Hypaspists

• Lighter armor
• Shorter Pike
• Individual skill v. drill formations
• Employed with cavalry for shock action
• This infantry served as a link between the slower
  moving phalanx and the faster moving cavalry
  
• This hinge was essential to an advance in
  oblique order, for without it, contact between
  the cavalry and phalanx would almost certainly be
  lost

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MacedonianHeavyCavalry

• The cavalry had been the weakness of Greek arms.
  Philip made it the strength of his Army. He
  organized his nobles into a bodyguard called the
  Companions which became the hammer of Macedonian
  battle tactics.
• Heavy Calvary Armor, shields, Calvary Spear (9
  with iron tips)
  
• Still no Stirrup
• Shock Action
• Discipline, organized units
• Heavy Calvary dominated light Infantry

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MacedonianLightCavalry

• In support he formed troops of light horsemen
  trained for scouting, skirmishing, and screening
  
• Still had traditional Light Calvary which
  relied on missile action

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Alexander and his Strategy against Persian Sea
Power

• Aristotle was his tutor
• Philip was assassinated in 336
• Many Greek states assumed that his son (only 20)
  would not be a formidable leader.
  
• Aroused by Darius III of Persia, who feared a
  strong Macedonia, many Greek states and separate
  tribes revolted against Alexander and Macedonian
  rule.
• In less than two years, Alexander had
  reestablished unquestioned Macedonian rule in the
  area.
  
• Having assured the security of his Hellenic base,
  Alexander now determined to conquer Persia
  
• To maintain the security of his base, and to
  ensure communications, Alexander knew he must
  destroy the Persian fleet which dominated the
  Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. How?

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Alexander Attacks Persia

• 4 Major Battles
• Granicus River 334 B.C.
• Issus 333 B.C.
• Arbela (Guagamela) 331 B.C.
• Hydaspes 326 B.C.

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The Persian Campaign 334-323 BC
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Persia Darius III

• Calvary and Light Infantry combination they added
  heavy infantry (Greek Mercenaries)
  
• Light Infantry in front
• Foundation was cavalry to decide the battle
• NO heavy cavalry
• Bows and javelins (mailed shirts and swords)

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Alexander as Military Commander
Bold and imaginative leadership, the courage and
technical quality of his army, and the systematic
development of his strategy over 2 million square
miles. Alexander was among the first to recognize
that commander's proper function is not to fight
himself, but to direct the fighting of others.
Had a keen sense of how to motivate people and
how to obtain their loyalty and respect.
Appointed his garrison commanders and ordered
them to allow the governors to rule their
respective districts according to ancient
custom.
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For Next Time

• Comprehend, know and explain the organization of
  the Roman army, with emphasis on the legionary
  system
  
• Know/describe the First Punic War, with emphasis
  on the campaigns against King Pyrrhus
  
• Know and recount the major battles of the Second
  Punic War, to include the battles of Trebia, Lake
  Trasimene, and Canae
  
• Know and evaluate Hannibal as a Great Captain
• Comprehend and explain Hannibals failure to gain
  strategic victory despite tactical success
  
• Know and review the Battle of Zama and Scipios
  impact on the outcome
  

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Pax per potens"
Questions?

• Peace through power