battles of alexander the great

Alexander the GreatThe Macedonian army & the major battles of his campaign

Year 11 Ancient History

The Macedonian ArmyINFANTRY• Phalanx • Developed by Phillip II & Alexander • These soldiers fought in close-ranked rectangular formations which

could spear through enemy cavalry and infantry from a safe distance• Could also be quickly manoeuvred into battle and travel quickly

• Hypaspists• The elite arm of the Macedonian infantry, armed with spears• Would protect the right flank of the Phalanx

Phalanx in formation

The Macedonian Army

CAVALRY• Hetairoi• The elite arm of the Macedonia army• Regarded as the best cavalry of the Ancient World• Would dominate other cavalry in battle

• Thessalian Cavalry• Used short spears and javelins• Highly manoeuvrable in battle• Used to defend the left flank of the army in battle

• Light Cavalry and Allies• Used for reconnaissance, scouting ahead & to fill

lines during an attack or defence

The Macedonian ArmySIEGE• Catapult• Developed by the Greeks in order to attack and destroy enemy structures

and buildings.• Uses a range of tensions to hurl large and heavy objects at designated

targets• According to historian Diodorus Siculus, this siege weapon was first used in

399 BCE• Ballista• Similar to catapult, but uses large

arrow shaped projectiles

Battle of Granicus River (334)

Lebrun. Source: Encyclopedie Larousse Illustre 1898.

Alexander leads his army across the Hellespont to meet Darius’ forces led by Memnon of Rhodes

History Channel, Battle of Granicus

Battle of Issus (333)

Siege of Tyre (332)

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