The Hellenistic World at War

The Oxford Handbook of Warfare in the Classical World ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195304657.013.0009 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 178-198

Author(s):

John Serrati

Keyword(s):

Basic Unit ◽

Hellenistic Period ◽

Art Of War ◽

Siege Warfare ◽

Hellenistic World ◽

Greek East ◽

The Art Of War

This chapter describes the effects of warfare in the Hellenistic period, which influenced nearly every aspect of life for people living in the Greek East at the time. The phalanx remained the basic unit of the Hellenistic army. The Hellenistic world saw a proliferation of technical manuals concerning the art of war. The composition of armies included infantry, cavalry, auxiliary forces, siege warfare, and navies. The Macedonian cavalry was the main striking arm of the combined force. Cavalry in the Hellenistic world were organized largely as in Alexander's day. Hellenistic siege warfare featured its share of exotic weapons. It is shown that the sea became a venue for battle. There was a marked shift in the composition of both navies and armies during the Hellenistic period.

Download Full-text

Eumenes of Cardia — General of the Early Hellenistic Period

Izvestiya of Altai State University ◽

10.14258/izvasu(2021)2-08 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 55-59

Author(s):

V.B. Mikhaylov

Keyword(s):

Hellenistic Period ◽

Alexander The Great ◽

Leadership Qualities ◽

Special Position ◽

Art Of War ◽

New Type ◽

Commander In Chief ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Art Of War

The article pays special attention to the study of a new type of military formations — the so-called Hellenistic armies. The author examines the key battles involving one of the influential figures of the early Hellenistic era — Eumenes of Cardia. The analysis of the contingent of the armies, both of the diadoch and its opponents, is carried out. An important aspect of the study is the assessment of Eumenes as commander-in-chief, given his special position among the rest of the pleiad of heirs of Alexander the Great. An attempt is also made to determine the main tactical orientations of the commander, as well as his leadership qualities. The relationship between Eumenes and ordinary soldiers of his military formation is noted. The orientalist position of the commander is traced, his continuity in the conduct of battles like King Alexander. In addition, the analysis of the effectiveness of a new type of troops in the armies of the Macedonians — war elephants and their interaction with other units in the army of the Diadochis is carried out. The key to effective conduct of battles in the early Hellenistic era, according to the author, was the successful combination of "new" and "traditional" in the art of war.

Download Full-text