Yuelang
Banned
Basically what's said on the title.
I know that Roman style legionaries (with swords, javelin, and scutum shields) are more flexible tactically, while Macedonian Phalanx is more rigid formation who need to be used with combined arms tactics to really shine, like what Alexander do...
But still, we could argue that the Diadochi, when the time they fight against Romans, they are already degrade militarily so instead of using the Phalanx as impenetrable anvil, they end up using it as the hammer instead of forming a competent section of flexible infantry comparable to Romans to guard their flanks as well as large enough contingent of cavalry to act as the hammer. Yes, they literally spend their money on Elephants, while powerful if used right, still we know that Elephants are more unreliable compared to horsemen.
The late hellenic troop types (Thureophoroi and Thorakitai),did exist and some actually think that they are the copies of Roman Legions, and at the time when they actually used in proper combined arms with Phalanx as the anvil, the Hellenic army will give good accounts of themselves.
Yeah, we know that later Roman Empire also adopt heavy cavalry tactics and use them as their main arms later on, especially in ERE. But still, in this hypothetical scenario, What If instead of dismissing the value of a massed group of disciplined men holding long spears, the Romans actually adopt Macedonian style Phalanxes and incorporate them (competently) into their combined arms tactics?
Discuss.
I know that Roman style legionaries (with swords, javelin, and scutum shields) are more flexible tactically, while Macedonian Phalanx is more rigid formation who need to be used with combined arms tactics to really shine, like what Alexander do...
But still, we could argue that the Diadochi, when the time they fight against Romans, they are already degrade militarily so instead of using the Phalanx as impenetrable anvil, they end up using it as the hammer instead of forming a competent section of flexible infantry comparable to Romans to guard their flanks as well as large enough contingent of cavalry to act as the hammer. Yes, they literally spend their money on Elephants, while powerful if used right, still we know that Elephants are more unreliable compared to horsemen.
The late hellenic troop types (Thureophoroi and Thorakitai),did exist and some actually think that they are the copies of Roman Legions, and at the time when they actually used in proper combined arms with Phalanx as the anvil, the Hellenic army will give good accounts of themselves.
Yeah, we know that later Roman Empire also adopt heavy cavalry tactics and use them as their main arms later on, especially in ERE. But still, in this hypothetical scenario, What If instead of dismissing the value of a massed group of disciplined men holding long spears, the Romans actually adopt Macedonian style Phalanxes and incorporate them (competently) into their combined arms tactics?
Discuss.