Full Description
The Hellenistic Period (323-31 BCE) saw the Grecian phalanx--long dominant in Mediterranean warfare--challenged by legionary formations from the rising city-state of Rome. The Roman way of war would come to eclipse phalanx-based combat by the 160s yet this was not evident at the time. Rome suffered numerous defeats against the phalanxes of Pyrrhus and Hannibal, its overseas campaign against the brilliant Spartan mercenary Xanthippus met disaster, and several Roman victories over Hellenistic foes were not decisive. The story of combat in this pivotal era is not well documented. This book for the first time provides detailed tactical analyses for all 130 significant land engagements of Hellenistic armies 300-167 BCE.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
1. Instruments of War: Last of the Successors (300-281 bce)
Grecian Warfare to the 3rd Century
New Contenders and Old Successors
2. Phalanx Versus Legion: Sicilian Tyrants and Pyrrhic Wars (280-275 bce)
Feuding Greeks and Carthage
Roman Warfare to the 3rd Century
Pyrrhus in the West
3. Gauls, Pyrrhus, Carthage and Rome: Gallic Invasions, Last of Pyrrhus and the First Punic/Mercenary War (279-237 bce)
Gauls and Greeks
Pyrrhus and Greece
The First Punic/Mercenary War
4. Sundered Realms: Achaean, Illyrian, Anatolian, Cleomenean and Syrian Wars (245-217 bce)
Achaean League and Illyrian Actions
Anatolia in Turmoil
Cleomenean War
Aratus' Last Battle, Molon's Revolt and the Fourth Syrian War
5. Phalanx Triumphant: The Second Punic War, Phase 1 (c. 236-211 bce)
Carthaginian Operations, 237-219
Northern Italy, 218-216
Italy, Sardinia and Iberia, 215-211
6. The Road to Zama: The Second Punic War, Phase 2 (210-202 bce)
Italy and Iberia, 210-205
Northern Italy and Africa, 204-202
7. Twilight of the Phalanx: Antiochus III, Philopoemen and the First/Second Macedonian Wars (214-196 bce)
Seleucia's Frontiers
The First Macedonian War and Philopoemen's Reforms
The Second Macedonian War
8. An End to the Greek Way of War: Seleucia in Decline and the Fall of Macedonia (195-167 bce)
The Wars Against Nabis and Antiochus
The Third Macedonian War
Hybridization of Hellenistic Warfare
Conclusions
Combat Formations—Revolution or Evolution?
Hoplites, Sarissaphoroi, Theurophoroi and Legionaries
Macedonian Cavalry Decline?
Phalanx or Legion?
Final Thoughts
Appendix 1: Roman Defeats at Allia (390 bce) and Caudium (321 bce)
Appendix 2: Hellenistic Land Battles/Keys to Victory (300-167 bce)
Appendix 3: Legion Versus Phlanx (280-168 bce)
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
