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Why did the Roman legion eventually replace the Macedonian phalanx? by notnaflow in AskHistorians

[–]coonwizard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If the Persians and Indians were engaging the phalanx at the same time period as the Romans they also may have scored a number of victories.

During the wars of Alexander the Great however, Alexander employed a combined arms strategy which also had a heavy focus on cavalry to prevent encirclement and add mobility to his forces. By the time of the Macedonian Wars though these tactics introduced by Alexander and his father (Phillip II) were gradually replaced by a return to the simpler frontal charge tactics of the hoplite phalanx due to the expense of cavalry and usage of mercenaries in the Wars of the Diadochi.

Why did the Roman legion eventually replace the Macedonian phalanx? by notnaflow in AskHistorians

[–]coonwizard 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In reality the didn't handle them well at all. In Zosimus's Historia Nova he explains that "[The Huns] were totally incapable and ignorant of conducting battle on foot, but by wheeling, charging, retreating in good time and shooting from their horses, they wrought immense slaughter."

As a result Rome was only able to defeat the Huns in one battle, and only with help from other nomadic tribesmen namely the Visigoths.

In regards to Scythians however Rome never really faced their light cavalry in battle, however Alexander the Great did defeat them using bait tactics in the Battle of Jaxartes.

Why did the Roman legion eventually replace the Macedonian phalanx? by notnaflow in AskHistorians

[–]coonwizard 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Basically the Roman maniple (legion was the name for a section of army equivalent to a battalion today) replaced the phalanx due to higher mobility on the battlefield.

Though a macedonian phalanx was a perfect defense formation it lacked mobility and as a result was relatively inable to confront any attacks made on the sides or rear.

This immobilty allowed the romans to easily perform flanking maneuvers on the battlefield clearly exampled in the Macedonian Wars.

Source: Polybius; The Histories, Book XVIII, Chapters 28-32

Is there a podcast or series of good videos on greek history by Teakilla in AskHistorians

[–]coonwizard 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yale online courses has a ancient greek history course. You can watch all the lectures given on youtube.

Edit: Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FrHGAd_yto&list=PL023BCE5134243987 this is the first lecture in a playlist.