33. Concerning sudden movements of the army
The directions given here, outlining facing, wheeling, double-wheeling and returning to the first position, all have their respective uses: in case of sudden attacks by the enemy, on the march, and charging from the left, the right and from the front. The same holds true with regard to counter-marches. Of these, the Macedonians are said to have invented the one that is named after them, and the Spartans that which is called ‘Lacedaemonian’. History informs us that Philip, who expanded the kingdom of Macedon and defeated the Greeks at Chaeronea and became the leader of a Greek confederacy, and similarly his son Alexander, who conquered Asia in a short space of time, undervalued the Macedonian Counter-march, unless compelled to use it by necessity, and that both of them defeated their enemies by using the Lacedaemonian Counter-march.1 The Macedonian Counter-march, in the event of an attack from the rear, often causes great confusion for the ouragoi, retreating behind the file-leaders, as it were, and taking up a position there in their order, giving the appearance of flight, and this movement, consequently, encourages the enemy and renders him more confident, and correspondingly reduces the spirits of those who retire while giving vigour to the charge of the enemy. Conversely, the lacedaemonian Counter-march has the exact opposite effect for, when the enemy appears to the rear, the file-leaders and those that follow them, marching forward to repel the enemy, strike fear into their minds.2
λδ’ Ὅτι τὰς δυνάμεις ἐθίζειν δεῖ τοῖς παραγγέλμασι χρῆσθαι ἢ διὰ σημείων ἢ διὰ φωνῆς ἢ διὰ σάλπιγγος
Δεῖ δὲ ἐθίζειν τὰς δυνάμεις τὰς [πεζικὰς]a καὶ τὰς ἱππικὰς τὰ μὲν φωνῇ, τὰ δὲ διὰ σημείων ὁρατῶν, ἵνα [καθ’]b ἑκάστην ἐπιτηδειότητα τὸ προσῆκον γένηται. ἔνια δὲ καὶ διὰ τῆς σάλπιγγος παραγγέλλεσθαι προσήκει οὕτως γὰρ πᾶσα [ἐπίταξις]c ἐξυπηρετηθήσεται. σαφέστερα μὲν οὖν ἐστι τὰ διὰ τῆς φωνῆς μηνυόμενα, [ἐάν]d γε μηδὲν ἐμπόδιον [ἀυτῇ ῇ],e ἀθορυβώτερα δὲ τὰ διὰ τῶν σημείων, ὅταν μηδὲ τούτοις τυγχάνῃ τι τὸ ἐπισκοτοῦν. τά τε [γὰρ]f διὰ τῆς φωνῆς ἐνίοτε δυσεξάκουστα γίνεται [ἢ]g διὰ ψόφον ὅπλων καὶ δυνάμεως ἱππικῆς [παριππασίαν καὶ χρεμετισμὸν]h ἵππων καὶ θόρυβον σκευοφόρων καὶ τοῦ πλήθους παντὸς ἦχον, καὶ τὰ διὰ τῶν σημείων δὲ ἄπορα πολλαχῇ γίνεται διά τε παχύτητα ἀέρος καὶ κονιορτοῦ καὶ ὕδατα καὶ νιφετοὺς καὶ ἡλίου ἀνταύγειαν, ἔτι δὲ τόπους ἀνωμάλους καὶ καταδένδρους καὶ καμπὰς ἔχοντας. ἐνίοτε δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν εὔπορον πρὸς πᾶσαν χρείαν εὑρέσθαι σημεῖα τῶν καιρῶν καινὰ πολλάκις εὑρισκόντων, οἷς τις οὐ προσείθισται. οὐ μέντοι ἅμα πάντα συμπεσεῖν δύναται, ὥστε ἄδηλον εἶναι ἢ φωνῆς ἢ σημείων τὸ παράγγελμα.
34. The advantages and uses of commands given by signal, voice and trumpet1
It is vital to accustom both infantry and cavalry to obey orders, whether communicated by voice or by visual signal, so that whatever is required can be executed with precision. It is necessary to announce some orders by the sound of a trumpet. Thus every command can be obeyed effectively. Orders given by voice are the most explicit. However, those given by signal are less likely to be missed so long as nothing renders them indistinguishable. Orders given by word of mouth are sometimes heard with difficulty because of the clash of arms, the trampling and neighing of horses, the din of those administering to the baggage train, and the combined clamour of all. Similarly, signals become uncertain under various circumstances, such as when the air is thick when dust is raised, or when rain or snow falls. Added to these, unfavourable ground, coverings of trees or sudden turnings of the formation may impede the sight of the signal. As such, it is no easy task to invent signals that are applicable to all situations, as many new circumstances may occur that a commander may never before have encountered. Yet all of these inconveniences should not cause distress as it is altogether impossible to convey all orders either by voice or by signal.
λε’ Περὶ πορειῶν καὶ ἐπαγωγῆς καὶ παραγωγῆς καὶ πῶς κοιλέμβολον
[Περὶ πορειῶν μέλλοντες λέγειν τοσοῦτον προεροῦμεν, ὅτι ἡ μὲν ἐν ταῖς πορείαις]a ἔστιν ὀπθια ἐπαγωγὴ, ή δὲ παραγωγὴ ἤ ἐν δεξιᾶ, ἤ ἐν εὐωνύμῳ, καὶ ἐν μονοπλεὺρῳ,ἤ διπλεὺρῳ,ἢ τῷ τετραπλεὺρῳ τάγματι βαδίειται.
μονοπλεὺρῳ μὲν, ὅταν ἕνα φοβῆται, διπλεύρῳ δὲ, ὅταν δύο. τριπλεὺρῳ δὲ, ὄστιν τρία. τετραπλεύρῳ δέ ὅταν πάντοθεν οἱ πολέμιοι ἐπιθέσθαι θέλωσι. καὶ διὰ τοῦτο γίνονται αἱ πορείαι ποτὲ μὲν μονοφαλαγγία, ποτὲ δὲ δὶφαλαγγια,ἢ τριφαλαγγία,ἢ τετραφαλαγγία.
καὶ ἐπαγωγὴ ὀρθία μὲν ἐστιν, ὅταν τάγμα τάγματι ἐπακολουθῆ. οἱον ξεναγίας προηγουμένης, αἱ λοιταὶ ξεναγίαι ἕπωνται, ἢ τετραρχίας προπορευομένης, αἱ λοιπαὶ ἐπακολειθῶσι κατὰ τάγμα. καλεῖται δὲ οὕτως, ὅταν ἐπὶ κέρας πορεύηται πολλαπλάσιον ἔχουσα τὸ βάθος τοῦ μήκοις, ἔχει δὲ τὸ τάγμα δυο λόχους ἀπό δέκα ἀνδρων.
πρὸς ταύτην ἀντιταττεται ὁ κοιλέμβολος. γίνεται δὲ ὅυτως ὅταν ἡ άντίστομος διφαλαγγία τὰ μὲν ἡγούμενα κέρατα διαστήσῃ, τὰ δὲ ἐπόμενα συνάψῃ, ἐν σχήματι τοῦ υ στιχέιου, ὡς διδάσκει ἡμᾶς ἡ καταγραφὴ ἔχουσα τοὺς μὲν πρώτους διεστῶτας, τοὺς δὲ πελευταίους συνημμένους. τῆς γὰρ ὀρθίας ἐπαγωγῆς κατὰ του μέσον τῶν ἐχθρῶν φερομένης, ἑτοίμως ἕχοισιν οἱ του κοιλεμβόλου διαλύσαντις τὴν ἕνωσιν κενῶσαι μὲν τὴν προσβολὴν τῆς πρώτης δυνάμεως, χωρῆσαι δὲ κατὰ τῶν πλαγίων μερῶν τῆς ὀρθιας ἐπαγωγῆς.
οὐ μὲν αλλὰ καὶ τριφαλαγγία ἀντιτάττεται τῷ κολεμβόλω, τῆς μὲν μιᾶς φάλαγγος μαχομὲνης τῷ ἑνὶ κέρατι. τῆς δὲ δευτέρας, τῷ ἄλλω, τῆς δὲ μέσης, καὶ τρίτης ἀναμενούσης τὴν προσβολήν.
35. Marching, induction and deduction, and the koelembolus formation1
We shall now proceed to examine the various orders of march. One form of march is called epagogē [ἐπαγωγή], or ‘right induction’. There is also another order of march called paragogē [παραγωγή], or ‘deduction’, marching with the flank leading on either the left or right, and this may be performed in either a single [monopleura, μονοπλευρά], double [dipleura, διπλευρά], triple [tripleura, τριπλευρά] or quadrilateral [tetrapleura, τετραπλευρά] column.2
The single column is used when one flank is threatened by the enemy; the double column when an attack is ex
pected from both sides; the triple column is adopted to meet a demonstration of the enemy from three fronts; and the quadrilateral form of march is resorted to when the enemy shows himself on every side. On this account, marches are conducted in single phalanx [monophalaggia, μονοφαλαγγία], double phalanx [diphalaggia, δὶφαλαγγια], triple phalanx [triphalaggia, τριφαλαγγία] or quadruple phalanx [tetraphalaggia, τετραφαλαγγία].
The correct form of the epagogē is when the divisions follow each other in order (e.g. if a xenagia leads, then the others follow, or if a tetrarchia leads, the remaining tetrarchiae follow, unit after unit). It is properly known as this when the phalanx marches with the flank leading, having under those circumstances a depth much greater than its width. The line in this form contains two files with each containing ten men.3
The deployment used to oppose such a formation is called the koelembolus [κοιλέμβολος] or ‘hollow wedge’. This is formed when the antistomos double phalanx, increasing the width of the ‘mouth’ in the centre of the line, separates the leading wings and closes the rear in the shape of the letter V (as the figure shows), so that one wing of the formation is separated and the other is joined.4 (See Plate 19.) For whereas the epagogē, or right induction, is directed at the centre of an opposing formation, the koelembolus, by opening the frontage between the leading units, renders the impact of the epagogē powerless and altogether harmless, while able to receive the front of the epagogē and hit it in the flanks.
The triphalaggia is used to oppose the koelembolus, or ‘hollow wedge’ (sometimes also called the ‘shears’), when one column charges one wing of the koelembolus, the second charges the other wing, and the third column in the centre awaits the results of the charge.
λς’ Τί ἐστι παραγωγή
[Παραγωγὴ δὲ, ὄταν ἡ φάλαγξ τοὺς ἠγεμόνας, ἤτοι τοὺς λοχαγούς, ἢ ἐν δεξιῶν ἔχῃ παράγοντας, ὃ καλειται δεξιὰ παραγωγὴ, ἢ ἐξ εὐωνήμων, ὃ λέγεται εὐώνυμος παραγωγὴ οὐκ έτι κατὰ λόχους, ἀλλὰ κατὰ ζυγοὺς ἐπὶ κέρας πορευομένους. ἢ γὰρ ἐν διπλεύρῳ, [ἢ τριπλεύρῳ],a ἢ καὶ ἐν τετραπλεύρῳ τὰς φάλαγγας ποιησαμένους, ὅθεν ἂν καὶ ἐξ ὁπόσων μερῶν τὸ πολέμιον ὑποττεύηται βαδιειται. ἀμφοτερα δὲ ἐνπλαγίων τὴν πρώτην προσβολὴν ποιούμεναι τὸ μὲν μῆκος διπλάσιον ἐποίησαν του βάθοις. δέκα μὲν γὰρ ἔχει τὸ στόμα, τρεις δὲ τὸ βὰθος. τοῦτο δὲ τὸ τῆς μάχης ἐστι σχῆμα. διὰ τὸ ἐθίζεσθαι τὸν στρατιώτην, μὴ μόνον ἐπ’ εὐθέιας, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς ἐνπλαγίους μεμελετημένως δέχεσθαι προσβολάς.]b
36. Paragogē or ‘deduction’
Paragogē [παραγωγή] takes place when the phalanx marches with the flank leading. If the file-leaders are on the right, this is known as a deduction by the right. (See Plate 20.) If the file-leaders are on the left, this is known as a deduction by the left. In either case, the phalanx advances, not by file, but by rank. It is formed, and advances, in a double, triple or quadrilateral form, so as to act against whatever direction, and in whatever way, an enemy shall commence an attack.1 Each wing, marching by deduction and charging with its flanks, has a width at least double its depth, for example ten across the front and a depth of three.2 This order of battle was devised to accustom the soldier not only to receive an attack from the front, but from the flank also.
λζ’ Τί ἐστι φάλαγξ ἀντίστομος
[Αντίστομος φάλαγξ λέγεται γὰρ οὕτως διὰ τὸ δύο στόματα ἔχειν. στόμα γὰρ λέγονται ὁι πρῶτι ἐπὶ τούς πολεμίους πορευόμενοι. ἐπεὶ ὄυν ἐν τούτῳ τῷ σχήματι ὁι μὲν μέσσι ἀντίνωτοι εἰσίν. οἱ δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς προσβάλλουσι τοις πολεμίοις, ὥς τε τοὺς μὲν εῖναι ἐπιστάτας τοὺς δὲ οὐραγούς. διὰ τοῦτο ταύτην ἔσχε τὴν ὀνομασιαν.
ἔστι δὲ χρησιμωτάτη πεζοῖς, ὅταν πρὸς πολέμους μάχωνται πολλὴν τὴν ἱππικὴν παράταξιν ἔχοντας καὶ κατελαύνειν δυναμένους. τάττεται δὲ τὸ τριοῦτον σχῆμα μάλιστα πρὸς τοὺς περὶ τὸν ἶστρον βαρβάρους, οὕς κὰι ἀμφιππους ἔλεγον, ὡς εἱθισμένους μεταβαίνειν ἀπὸ ἄλλων ἵππων εις ἄλλους.
τὸ δὲ ἀντιπαραταττόμενον ἱππικὸν τάγμα τετράγωνον ἔχον σχῆμα πρὸς τὴν χρείαν ἐμερίαθη εἰς δύο τάξεις ἑτερομήκεις. ἑτερομήκεις δὲ εἱσὶν, αἱ τὸ στόμα τοὺ βάθους ἔχουσαι διπλάσιον. ἑκάτερα δὲ ἀυτων πρὸς τὰς τῶν πεζῶν διαιρέσεις αντιπαρατάττονται.]a
37. The antistomos formation1
The antistomos [ἀντίστομος] phalanx is so called because it has two ‘mouths’ or fronts. The rank that advances against the enemy is called the ‘mouth’ or front of the phalanx. As the men in the middle are placed back to back, while those on the front and rear turn to face the enemy, the phalanx hence takes the name that has been given here.2 (See Plate 21.)
This form of battle-line is of very great use to infantry when attacked by an enemy that is strong in cavalry. It is also of very great use in battles with the barbarians who inhabit the shores of the Danube, the Amphippi, so-called because they use two horses, vaulting from one to the other.
When cavalry charge against infantry drawn up in this way, the squadron adopts a quadrilateral form made up of two oblongs with their front twice as long as their depth. These are used to attack both sides of the antistomos phalanx at once.
λη’ Τί ἐστι φάλαγξ ἀμφίστομος
[Ἀμφίστομος]a φάλαγξ ὁμοία καὶ ἀυτῇ τῇ ἀντιστόμῳ [ἐνηλλαγμένου του σχηματος,]b ὥστε πρὸς τὸ ἐιδος τῶν ἱππικῶν ἐπίδρομον ἐθίζεσθαι. ἁρμοζει δὲ καὶ ἐπὶ τούτου τοῦ σχήματος, πάντα τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς προτόρας φάλαγγος ἐιρημένα πεζικῆς τε, καὶ ἱππικῆς. διαφέρει δὲ κατὰ ταῦτο τῆς ἀντιστομου, ὅτι ἡ μὲν ἀντιστομος ἐξ ἄκρων ἔχει τὰς μάχας. ἡ δὲ ἀμφίστομος ἐν πλαγίων. καὶ οἱ ἐν ταύτη τῇ τάξει, καὶ οἱ ἐν τῇ πρὸ ταύτης τεταγμένοι μεγάλοις δόρασι μάχονται, ὡς Ἀλανοι, καὶ Σαυρομάται. ἔχει δὲ τοὺς ἡμίσεις τῶν ἐν τοῖς λόχοις ὁπλιτῶν ἔμπροσθεν, τοὺς δὲ ἑτέρους ἀπεστραμμένους ἐις τουπίσω, ὡς ἀντινώτους ἀλλήλας γίνεσθαι. ἐν ἀυτῇ δὲ δύο στόματα, ἔμπροσθέν τε ἐν ὄις οἱ λοξαγοὶ, καὶ ὄπισθεν ἐν οἷς οἱ οὐραγοί. οὐ μὴν ἀλλὰ καὶ εὶς διφαλαγγίαν διαιρουμένη τὸ μὲν ἔμπροσθεν στόμα διὰ τῆς μιᾶς ποιειται φάλαγγος, τὸ δὲ ὄπισθεν διὰ τῆς ἑτοράς.
The Tactics of Aelian Page 12