οὕτω γὰρ ἰσοδυναμήσουσιν αἱ διλοχίαι κατ’ ἀρετήν ἡ γὰρ πρώτη διλοχία τὸν πρῶτον κατ’ ἀρετὴν ἔχει καὶ τὸν τέταρτον, ἡ δὲ δευτέρα τὸν δεύτερον καὶ [τὸν]h τρίτον κατ’ ἀρετήν. δείκνυται δὲ ἐν τοῖς μαθήμασιν, ὅταν ὦσιν ἐν τέτταρσι μεγέθεσιν ἀναλογίαι, τὸ ὑπὸ τοῦ πρώτου καὶ τετάρτου ἶσον γινόμενον τῷ ὑπὸ δευτέρου καὶ τρίτου. ἐπεὶ δὲ ἐν ἑκάστῳ συντάγματι τέσσαρές εἰσι τετραρχίαι, τῇ αὐτῇ ἀναλογίᾳ καὶ τὰ συντάγματα διακοσμήσομεν, ὥστε ἐν ἑκάστῳ συντάγματι τῆς πρώτης τετραρχίας τὸν τετράρχην [ὑπὸ]i τοῦ δεξιοῦ τετάχθαι καὶ πρωτεύειν κατ’ ἀρετήν, τὸν δὲ τῆς τετάρτης τετραρχίας τετράρχην εὐώνυμον εἶναι καὶ δευτερεύειν κατ’ ἀρετήν, τὸν δὲ τῆς τρίτης τετραρχίας τετράρχην δεξιὸν εἶναι καὶ τρίτον κατ’ ἀρετήν, τὴν δὲ δευτέραν τετραχίαν εὐώνυμον ἔχειν τόν τετράρχὴν καὶ τέταρτον κατ’ ἀρετήν. τὴν δὲ αὐτὴν ἀναλογίαν ἔχουσι καὶ αἱ μείζονες ἡγεμονίαι πρὸς αὑτάς.
10. The officers within the phalanx1
The best, and first in rank, of the phalangarchs is posted in command of the phalangarchia on the right wing and is positioned at the head of the most right-hand file of that unit.2 The next officer down in rank is posted to command the phalangarchia on the left wing and is positioned at the head of the most left-hand file of that unit. He who holds the third place, as dictated by his valour, is posted in command of the phalangarchia second from the left and is positioned at the head of the most right-hand file of that unit, towards the middle of the whole phalanx. The fourth officer is posted on the right wing with the first phalangarch, and is in command of the phalangarchia second from the right and is positioned at the head of the most left-hand file of that unit, also towards the middle of the whole phalanx. (See Figure 2.) As such, the first and fourth phalangarchiae are commanded by officers of the first and fourth degree of valour, while the second and third phalangarchiae have leaders of a proportionate degree of reputation.3 The right wing of the line [i.e. the first and fourth phalangarchiae] is equal, in terms of the efficiency of its leaders, to the left wing [i.e. the second and third phalangarchiae] as the skill and bravery of the commanders is equally distributed in each.
The merarchs are positioned in a similar way. He who is ranked highest is posted in command of the merarchia on the left-hand side of the first phalangarchia on the right wing, and is positioned at the head of the most left-hand file of that unit. The second-ranked merarch is posted in command of the merarchia on the right-hand side of the second phalangarchia on the left wing and is positioned at the head of the most right hand file of that unit. The officer ranked third is posted in command of the merarchia on the left-hand side of the third phalangarchia and is positioned at the head of the most left-hand file of that unit. The fourth ranked merarch is posted in command of the merarchia on the right-hand side of the fourth phalangarchia and is positioned at the head of the most right-hand file of that unit.4 (See Figure 3.) The leaders of each of the four files in a tetrarchia [i.e. the lochargoi] are similarly arranged.5 The leader of the first file [on the right] is he who has the most experience, and the fourth-ranked officer holds a position next to him [i.e. to his left]. The second-ranked file leader commands the left-hand file, while the third ranked file leader holds the position next to him [i.e. on his right]. (See Figure 4.)
By these means, the dilochiae within the tetrarchia have an equal share of strength, for the right-hand dilochia has leaders of the first and fourth rank while the left-hand dilochia has commanders of the second and third rank. (See Figure 4.) it is clear, mathematically speaking, that when proportions exist in four analogous quantities, that the sum of the first and fourth quantities will equal the sum of the second and third quantities. As there are four tetrarchiae in every syntagma, each tetrarchia is drawn up in a similar way so that, in every syntagma, the commander of the first tetrarchia is placed on the right and ranks first. The fourth tetrarchia is positioned to his left, then comes the third tetrarchia and then the second. The same proportions also exist in the higher levels of command.
ια’ Πόσον τόπον κατέχει ὁ ὁπλίτης τεταγμένος
Νῦν δὲ καὶ περὶ τῶν διαστημάτων, ὧν ἀπ’ ἀλλήλων ἀφεστᾶσιν οἱ ὁπλῖται κατά τε μῆκος καὶ κατὰ βάθος, δηλώσομεν. διαφοραὶ δέ εἰσι τρεῖς. πρῶτον μὲν γὰρ τάσσονται ἐν ἀραιοτέροις διαστήμασιν ἐνίων χάριν χρειῶν. τεταγμένος μὲν οὖν ὁ ἀνὴρ κατέχει πήχεις τέσσαρας, πεπυκνωμένος δὲ κατέχει πήχεις δύο, συνησπικὼς δὲ κατέχει πῆχυν. ἔστι δὲ πύκνωσις, ὅταν ἐκ τῶν ἀραιοτέρων διαστημάτων ἐλάσσονα τὰ διαστήματα ποιήσας [πυκνώση]a κατὰ παραστάτην καὶ ἐπιστάτην, [τουτέστι]b κατὰ μῆκος καὶ κατὰ βάθος, οὕτως μέντοι, ὥστε [ἐπιδέχεσθαι]c μεταβολήν. συνασπισμὸς δέ ἐστιν, ὅταν [τοῖς]d τῆς προειρημένης πυκνώσεως ἔτι μᾶλλον ἡ φάλαγξ πυκνωθῇ κατὰ παραστάτην [καὶ ἐπιστάτην],e ὥστε διὰ τὴν συνέχειαν τοῦ στρατοῦ μὴ χωρεῖν κλίσιν μήτε ἐπὶ τὰ δεξιά, μήτε ἐπὶ τὰ εὐώνυμα.
γίνεται δὲ ἡ πύκνωσις, ὅταν ὁ στρατηγὸς βουληθῇ [ἀπάγειν]f τὴν φάλαγγα ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐναντίους, ὁ δὲ συνασπισμὸς πρὸς τὸ [τὴν]g τῶν πολεμίων ἔφοδον [πεφραγμένως]h ὑποστῆναι. ἐπεὶ οὖν εἰσι χίλιοι καὶ εἴκοσι τέσσαρες οἱ κατὰ μέτωπον [τῆς φάλαγγος]i τεταγμένοι λοχαγοί, δῆλον, ὅτι τεταγμένοι μὲν καθέξουσι πήχεις [τετραχίλιους]j ένενήκοντα ἕξ τοῦ μήκους, [τουτέστι]k στάδια δέκα καὶ πήχεις ένενήκοντα ἕξ, πεπυκνωκότες δὲ καθέξουσι σταδίους πέντε καὶ πήχεις τέσσαράκοντα ὀκτώ, συνησπικότες δὲ καθέξουσι σταδίους δὺο καὶ ἥμισυ πήχεις εἴκοσι τέσσαρες.
11. How large an interval each armed man occupies1
We will now examine the space allocated to the infantry in terms of both width and depth as there are three different proportions. In the first instance, the men are sometimes arranged in an open order when the situation calls for such a deployment.2 When so drawn up, each man occupies a space of 4 cubits [pecheis, πήχεις] (192cm).3 When arranged in an intermediate order, each man occupies 2 cubits (96cm) and, when arranged in a close order, he occupies a space of 1 cubit (48cm). The intermediate order occurs when a commander decreases the intervals between the men in both rank and file [i.e. from an open-order] and, in doing so, lessens the extent of his formation by reducing its width and depth, yet still leaving enough room for rapid movement. The interlocking of shields [synaspismos, συνασπισμοῖς], or the close order, is effected when the entire phalanx is further reduced by width and depth to the point that the men stand almost shoulder to shoulder.4 (See Plate 4.)
Intermediate-order formations are used when a commander advances against an enemy. Close-order for
mations are used when he wishes to firmly resist an enemy’s attack. Consequently, it follows that when 1,024 file leaders are arranged across the front of the phalanx in open order, the formation will have a frontage of 4,096 cubits (around 1,966m) or 10 stadia and 96 cubits.5 When arranged in intermediate order, the formation will occupy 5 stadia and 48 cubits (983m). When deployed in close order, the formation will occupy 2½ stadia and 24 cubits (491m).
ιβ’ Πῶς δεῖ καθοπλίζεσθαι τοὺς ὁπλίτας, καὶ μέτρα τῶν ὅπλων καὶ δοράτων
Ἡ δὲ ὅπλισις [ἔστι]a τῆς φάλαγγος ἀσπίσι καὶ δόρασιν. ἀσπὶς μὲν οὖν ἐστιν [ἡ]b ἀρίστη χαλκῆ, Μακεδονική, οὐ λίαν κοίλη, ὀκταπάλαιστος. δόρυ δὲ μὴ ἔλαττον [ὀκταπήχεος],c τὸ δὲ μήκιστον [μετὰ]d τοῦ δύνασθαι ἄνδρα κρατοῦντα χρῆσθαι εὐμαρῶς.
12. How the men are armed and the size of the shield and spear1
The arms of a phalanx are shields and pikes. The Macedonian shield, made of bronze, is best.2 it must not be too concave and should be 8 ‘palms’ [oktapalaistos, ὀκταπάλαιστος] in diameter.3 The pike should not be shorter than 8 cubits (384cm) and the longest pike should not exceed a length that allows a man to wield it effectively.4
ιγ’ Ὅτι δεῖ τὸ πρῶτον ζυγὸν ἀρίστων ἀνδρῶν εἶναι καὶ στομώματος τάξιν ἐπέχειν
Δεῖ δὲ τοὺς λοχαγούς, ὡς ἂν ἡγεμόνας [ὄντας]a τῶν ἐν τῇ φάλαγγι λόχων, ἀρίστους εἶναι πάντων, ὥστε μεγέθει τε καὶ ῥώμῃ τῶν ἄλλων διαφέρειν ἐμπειρίᾳ τε προκεκρίσθαι. τοῦτο γὰρ τὸ ζυγὸν συνέχει τὴν φάλαγγα καὶ τὴν μεγίστην χρείαν παρέχει. ὥσπερ γὰρ μάχαιρα τῷ ἑαυτῆς [στοματι]b βάρος καὶ σήκωμα τὸν τοῦ ἐπικειμένου σιδήρου ὄγκον προσλαβοῦσα τὴν αὐτῆς δύναμιν παρέχει, τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον καὶ φάλαγγος ὑποληπτέον [στόμα]c μὲν εἶναι τὸ τῶν λοχαγῶν τάγμα, ὄγκον δὲ καὶ σήκωμα καὶ βάρους πρόσθεσιν τὸν κατὰ [νώτους]d τασσόμενον ὄχλον. φροντιστέον δὲ ἐκ [τῶν]e ἐνδεχομένων καὶ [τοῦ]f δευτέρου ζυγοῦ. συνεπεκτείνεται γὰρ τὸ δόρυ καὶ τούτων τῶν ἀνδρῶν, καὶ πλησίον συνταττόμενον [παρεδρεύει]g χρείαν ἐν [πολλοῖς]h παρεχόμενον, καὶ πεσόντος ἢ τραυματισθέντος τοῦ λοχαγοῦ προελθὼν εἰς τὸ πρόσθεν συνέχει τὴν τάξιν ἀρραγῆ. τὸ δὲ τρίτον ζυγὸν καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς ἐκ [τοῦ πρὸς λόγον καθὸ]i τῇ δυνάμει ὑποβέβληκεν.
13. How the best men hold the positions at the front of the formation and where the ‘mouth’ of the line is located1
It is proper that the file leaders, who are the commanders of all of the files throughout the entire phalanx, should be the best soldiers in the army, excelling all others in stature, strength and military skill, for this front rank keeps the entire phalanx intact; and this is of the utmost importance. Just as a sword presents the effect of its edge, increased by the stroke and the weight of the iron towards its back, so the rank of file leaders may be considered the edge of the phalanx, receiving its power, impetus and momentum from the mass of men that presses forward from the rear.2 Similarly, attention must be paid to those in the second rank, for the pikes of those within it are projected forward together with those of the front rank and, being positioned immediately behind the latter, are of great use in emergencies.3 For, in the case that the file leader should fall or receive a wound, the man directly behind him, stepping into his place, closes the gap in the line and preserves its integrity. Additionally the third rank, and those who follow in succession, are classed, respectively, according to the quality of strength and valour that they possess.4
ιδ’ Ὡς ἡ Μακεδονικὴ φάλαγξ ἐν τούτοις παρετάσσετο
Ἡ δὲ Μακεδονικὴ φάλαγξ τοῖς πολεμίοις ἀνύποιστος ἐδόκει διὰ τὴν ἐν ταῖς τάξεσι κατασκευήν. ὁ γὰρ ἀνὴρ [ἵσταται]a σὺν τοῖς ὅπλοις κατὰ τὰς ἐναγωνίους πυκνώσεις [καὶ]b ἐν πήχεσι δύο. τὸ δὲ τῶν [σαρισσῶν]c μέγεθός ἐστι κατὰ μὲν τὴν ἐξ ἀρχῆς ὑπόθεσιν ἑκκαίδεκα πηχῶν, κατὰ δὲ τὴν ἀλήθειαν δεκατεσσάρων. τούτων δὲ δύο πήχεις [ἀφαιρεῖται]d τὸ μεταξὺ τοῖν χεροῖν διάστημα τῆς προβολῆς. αἱ δὲ [λοιπαὶ]e δέκαδυο πήχεις προπίπτουσι πρὸ τῶν σωμάτων. [ἐκ]f τούτων οἱ ἐν τῷ δευτέρῳ ζυγῷ [ὑποβεβηκότες τοῖς προστάταις πήχεις τέσσαρες ἐν τῇ φάλαγγι ἀφαιρούμενοι τὴν σάρισαν ἔχουσι προπίπτουσαν ὑπὲρ τοὺς ὁπλίτας τοὺς ἐν τῷ πρώτῳ]g πήχεις δέκα. οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ τρίτῳ ζυγῷ [ὑπεραίρουσαν]h τοὺς πρωτοστάτας πήχεις ὀκτώ, οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ τετάρτῳ ἕξ, οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πέμπτῳ πήχεις τέσσαρας, οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ ἕκτῳ δὺο. καὶ πάντες οἱ κατόπιν οὐκ ἔχουσι τὰς [σαρίσσας τῶν τοῦ πρώτου ζυγοῦ]i ὑπερεχούσας.
διὸ καὶ καθ’ ἕκαστον τῶν ἐν τῷ πρώτῳ ζυγῷ τεταγμένων [σάρισσαι]j πέντε [ἢ καὶ ἕξ]k προβεβλημέναι οἵαν εἰκὸς ὄψιν πολεμίοις παρέχουσι, καὶ ἰσχὺν δὲ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς πέντε [ἢ καὶ ἕξ]l [σαρίσσαις]m πεφραγμένου [καὶ [τοσαύτας]n δυνάμεσιν ἐπερειδομένου]o [ὅπερ ἐστὶ σκοπεῖν].p καὶ οἱ μετὰ τὸ πέμπτον δὲ ζυγόν, [εἰ]q καὶ μὴ ταῖς [σαρίσσαις]r ἐνεργοῦσι, τῷ βάρει τῶν σωμάτων ἐπιβρίθοντες ἰσχυροτέραν ποιοῦσι τὴν δύναμιν καὶ τοῖς πρωτοστάταις ἀνέλπιστον φυγεῖν.
ἔνιοι δὲ τὰ τῶν ὀπίσω τεταγμένων ὁπλιτῶν δόρατα μακρότερα τῶν ἔμπροσθεν κατεσκεύασαν, ἵνα καὶ οἱ μέχρι [τούτου]s ζυγοῦ ἢ τετάρτου τεταγμένοι τὰς [αἰχμὰς]t ἐξ ἴσου τοῖς ἀντιπαρατεταγμένοις ἐπιφέρωσιν.
Ὁ δὲ καθ’ ἕκαστον σύνταγμα ἔκτακτος οὐραγὸς ἔστω συνετός, ὅλου τοῦ συντάγματος προνοούμενος, ἵνα στοιχῶσι καὶ ζυγῶσιν ἀλλήλοις, τούς τε ἀναδυομένους διὰ δειλίαν ἢ δι’ ἄλλην τινὰ αἰτίαν [κωλύων]u εἰς τάξιν καθεστάναι. ἐν [τε]v τοῖς συνασπισμοῖς, ἐάν τις χρεία γένηται, [ἀναγκάση]w συνερείδειν τοὺς ἄνδρας ὅτι μάλιστα ἀλλήλοις. τοῦτο γάρ ἐστι τὸ τὴν ἰσχὺν τῷ τάγματι παρεχόμενον, ἵνα μὴ μόνον ἐν [τῷ]x μετώπῳ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπ’ οὐρᾶς τοῦ τάγματος κύριός τις ὑπάρχῃ τῶν προειρημένων ἕνεκεν αἰτιῶν.
14. How the Macedonian phalanx is organized1
The phalanx, due to the nature of its configuration, has been regarded as irresistible.2 Each soldi
er, when completely armed and arranged in an intermediate order, occupies a space of only 2 cubits (96cm).3 The length of the pikes, when the phalanx was first created, was 16 cubits (768cm) but is, in fact, now 14 cubits (672cm).4 Two cubits (96cm) of this length are taken up by the grip, being the distance between the hands, while the remaining 12 cubits (576cm) project ahead of the body.5 Thus the weapons carried by the second rank, losing 4 cubits [i.e. 2 cubits for the grip of the man in the second rank, and 2 cubits for the interval occupied by the man in the front rank], project 10 cubits (480cm) beyond the front rank. The pikes of the third rank therefore project 8 cubits (384cm) beyond the front, those of the fourth rank project 6 cubits (288cm), those of the fifth rank project 4 cubits (192cm), and those of the sixth rank project 2 cubits (96cm) beyond the front.6 The men in the remaining ranks have no part of their pike that can extend beyond the front rank.7 (See Plate 5.)
As five or six pikes project beyond the front of the line, there can be no doubt that this would appear terrifying to an attacker, and each individual within the formation, surrounded by five or six pikes and supported by the men behind him, would hold a great level of confidence. Additionally, those who form the ranks behind the sixth, although they cannot bring their pikes to bear against an enemy, by pressing forward with the weight of their bodies, increase the momentum of the phalanx and leave no possibility of seeking safety in flight to those in the forward ranks.8
The Tactics of Aelian Page 6