μς’ Τί ἐστι ἐπικάμπιος ὀπισθία καὶ τί φάλαγξ κυρτὴ
[Καί αὕτη μεμηχάνται πρὸς δόλον ἀνοίξασα γὰρ τὸ μέσον χώρημα ὀλιγους μὲν [τοὺς]a ἐν τοῖς κέρασι προπορευομένους δέικνυσι, τριπλασίονας δὲ ἔχει τοὺς ὃπισθεν ἑπομένους. ἵνα ἂν μὲν κατισχύσωσιν οἱ ἐπὶ τῶν κεράτων τῆς προσβολῆς, ἀρκέσωσιν ἀυτοὶ, ἐαν` δὲ μὴ, ῥαδίως ἐπιδραμόντες εἰς τὰ παῤ ἑκάτερα μέρη, ἑνωθῶσι τῷ μείζονι τάγματι.
ἡ δὲ πρὸς τὸ εἰρημένον ἀντιπαρασκευαζομένη τάγμα, κυρτὴ μὲν καλεῖται, δὶα τὸ περιφορὲς τῆς τάξεως. μηχανᾶαι δὲ αὕτη ὀλίγην ἀποδεῖξαι τῆν συντεταγμένην ἰδίαν δύναμιν διὰ τοῦ κυρτοῦ σχήματο, τὰ γὰρ σφαιροειδῆ μικρὰ μὲν ἐν τῆ κυκλώσει φαίνεται, ἁπλούμενα δὲ εἰς τὸ διπλάσιον ἐντείνεται. ὡς ἔστιν ἰδεῖν ἐπὶ τῶν κιόνων, οἵ κυκλοτερεῖς εἰσὶν, ὅθεν ἐὰν ὁρῶνται, τὸ μὲν ἥμιου φανερὸν ἔχουσι, τὸ δὲ ἥμιου κεκρυμμένον.
καλλίστη δὲ παρατάξεων αὕτη τῆ τὲχνη, τὸ δεῖξαι μὲν ἑαυτοὺς τοῖς πολμίοις ὀλίγους, ἐπρνεγκεῖν δὲ δηπλασὶονας.]b
46. The epicampios opisthia infantry formation and the kyrtē infantry formation
The epicampios opisthia [ἐπικάμπιος ὃπλισθια], or phalanx with retiring wings, is also formed to deceive the enemy. Its centre appears thin, but is actually three times stronger and has three times the men in the rear.1 If the soldiers on the wings can withstand an attack, all is well. However, if they give way on either flank, the wings can easily unite with that part of the line that holds its ground.2
The formation used to counter this is called the kyrtē [κυρτὴ], or convex crescent, so called because of its shape.3 (See Plate 29.) It gives the appearance of a small force, as formations of men arranged in a curved shape and retiring, as it were, away from the eye seem smaller than they really are, but when they deploy in line, they stretch the formation to double the size that they appeared to be at first. This is evident in pillars of which only half is visible while half is concealed.
There is an advantage to the arrangement of troops as a means by which, although they appear to be of a certain number to the enemy, when the charge commences, he is obliged to sustain the shock of twice as many as he expected.
μζ’ Περὶ τῆς τετράγωνος τῶν ἱππέων καὶ τί φάλαγξ ἔμβολον
[Αὕτη τετράγωνος μεν τῷ σχήματι, ἀλλ’ οὐ τῷ ἀριθμῷ, ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν τετραγώνιων οὐ διώρισται ὁ ἀριθμος, ἔξεστι γὰρ καὶ διπλάσιον ποιῆσαι τὸ μῆκος τοῦ βαθους πρὸς τῆν τοῦ στρατηγοῦ χρείαν. ἐχρήσαντο δὲ μάλιστα τῷ σχήματι τούτω Πέρσαι, καὶ Σικελοί, καὶ τὼν Ἑλλήνων οἱ πλειστοι, καὶ τῆν παράταξιν εὐχερῆ καταλαβόντες ἔιναι, καὶ τῆν χρῆσιν βελτίονα.
[ἀντικει δὲ αὐτῇ ὴ φάλαγξ,]a ἠ καλεῖται ἔμβολος [ἔχει]b πάντα τὰ πλευρὰ ἐξ ὁπλιτῶν τεταγμένα. ἔιληπται δὲ τὸ σχῆμα ἐν τῶν ἱππικῶν ἐμβόλων. ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ μὲν τῶν ἱππέων ἑις προέχων ἐξαρκει ἐπὶ τῶν πεζῶν τρεῖς, ὡς οὐκ ὄντος ἐνὸς ἱκανοῦ προσβαλεῖν τοῖς πολεμίοις. οὕτως γοῦν Ἐπαμινώνδας ὁ Θηβαῖος πρὸς Λακεδαιμονίους μαχομένος ἐν Λεύκτραις πυκνώσας εἰς ἔμβολον τὸ στράτευμα κατεκράτησε πλείστης δυνάμεως.
[γίνεται δὲ ὅταν ἡ ἀμφίστομος διφαλαγγία τῆς πορείας τὰ μὲν ἐμπροσθεν κέρατα συνάψῃ,]c τὰ δὲ ὄπισθεν διαστήσῃ ἐν σχήματι τοῦ Λ στοιχείου.]d
47. The square cavalry formation and the infantry wedge
The squadron of cavalry in this instance is meant to be quadrilateral in shape but not necessarily square in number. The number of horses that can make up a quadrilateral formation is limitless. The commander, for example, is at liberty to arrange his troops twice as long as they are deep, when he sees the need of it. The Persians, Sicilians and Greeks generally use this formation, thinking it easy to arrange and better suited to general service than most others. Opposed to such a formation is the body of infantry that is known as the embolon [ἔμβολον], or wedge, the outer sides of which are covered with completely-armed troops. This formation is taken from the wedge of cavalry. However, in the cavalry wedge, one soldier leads whereas, in the infantry formation, three are necessary, as one is not equal to making an effective charge. (See Plate 30.) At Leuctra, epaminondas the Theban, throwing his men into a wedge in intermediate-order, defeated the lacedaemonians.1
A wedge of this nature is formed when a diphalangia antistomos formation joins its leading wings in the shape of the letter lambda (Λ).2
μη’ Τί ἐστι φάλαγξ πλαίσιον καὶ τί φάλαγξ πεπλεγμένη
[Τοῦτο πολλαπλάσιον ἔχει τοῦ βάθους τὸ μῆκος, πλαίσιον δὲ λὲγεται, ὅταν ἐν πάντῶν τῶν πλευρῶν ὁπλῖται ὦσι,τῶν τοξοτῶν καὶ σφενδονήτων κατά μέσου τεταγμένων.
οἱ οὖν πρὸς τὸ τοιοῦτον ἀντιπαραταττόμενοι σχῆμα τῆν πεπλεγμένην ἀντεπάγουσι τάξιν, ἵνα τῷ ἀνωμάλῳ ἰδίῳ σχήματι προτοσέψωνται τοὺς ἐκ τοῦ [πλαισίου κατὰ τῶν προεξεχοντων τῆς πεπλεγμὲνης τάξεως ὁρμῆσαι, καὶ διὰ τούτου λύσωσι τῆν πύκνωσιν τῆς τοῦ]a πλαισίου τάξεως. καὶ προορῶσι δὲ οἱ τῆς πεπλεγμένης λοχαγοὶ τοῦς ἐξ ἐναντίας ἡγεμόνας, ἵνα ἐάν τε πεπυκνωμένοι ᾦσι καὶ αὐτοὶ οὕτως ἀντιμάωνται, ἐάν τε μεριζωσιν ἑαυτοὺς κατὰ τῆς ἰδίας δυνάμεως προῦπαντήσωσιν αὐτοῖς καὶ αὐτοὶ πρὸς μερισμὸν ἠυτρεπισμένοι. πλάγιον λέγεται, ὅταν ἐνδυοῖν πλευρῶν γένεται ἡ παράταξις. οὑκ ἐν τετραγώνῳ, ἀλλ’ ἐν ἑτερομήκει σχήματι.
[οπλῖται μὲν οὖν εἰσιν οἱ διὰ θωράκων, καὶ κρανῶν, καὶ περικνημίδων περιπεφραγμένοι, ἐπιφερόμενοι δὲ καὶ ἀσπίδας εὐμεγέθεις σπιθαμῶν ἑπτά. ἢ θυρεοὺς ἐπιμήκεις, καὶ δόρατα ὡσεὶ πηχῶν τέσσαρες καὶ δέκα. πελτασταί δὲ, οἱ ἐλαφροτέραν τούτων ἔχοντος ὅπλισιν, οἱ ἀντὶθωράκων λωρίκια, ἢ ἐπιλωρίκια, πολλάκις δὲ καὶ κασσίδας περιβεβλημένοι. διὸ καὶ οἱ πλείσους μετὰ τῶν ψιλῶν πεζῶν τούτους ἔταξαν, ψιλοὶ δὲ οἱ μηδὲν τοιαύτης ὁπλίσεως ἐπιφερόμενοι, ἀλλ᾿ ἢ μόνον τοῖς μακρόθε
ν πεμπομένοις ἐνηβόλοις χρώμενοι ὅπλοις, οἱ μὲν τόξοις, οἱ δὲ ἀκοντίοις, οἱ δὲ σφενδόναις.]b ]c
48. The plaision infantry formation and the peplegmenē infantry formation
The plaision [πλαίσιον] formation has its width greatly exceeding its depth. The formation is properly called the plaision when it is formed with the completely-armed arranged around the outside, and the archers and slingers are deployed in the middle.1 (See Plate 31.)
The best way to oppose this order of battle is to use the formation called peplegmenē [πεπλεγμένη] or ‘saw tooth’. (See Plate 32.) The objective of this formation is to entice the troops in the plaision to attack the projecting points of the peplegmenē, and thus break the formation’s density and bring disorder to its structure. The file-leaders (the most advanced men of the peplegmenē) must closely observe those in the plaision and, if they preserve their order, they must endeavour to repulse them in like manner. However, if those in the plaision break their order and advance in a charge, those in the peplegmenē must anticipate their attack. The plagion takes its name from the word plagion when it is formed.2 however, it is not an exact square, but is drawn up like an oblong formation.3
The hoplites are those protected by breastplates and helmets and greaves. There are also shields of ample size, of seven spans [spithamē, σπιθαμή] (168cm) wide, or long shields and spears extending to 14 cubits (672cm).4 The peltasts are the troops that have an armament lighter than these [i.e. the hoplites]; some, in place of wearing a breastplate, wear a corselet [lorica, λωρίκια] or an over-corslet [epilorica, ἐπιλωρίκια], often with a protective layer of kassides.5 On this account, many placed them with the light infantry [psiloi]. However, the light infantry are troops who have no need of such equipment, but use missiles that can be sent from a distance, some with bows, others with javelins, and others again with slings.
μθ’ Τί ἐστιν ὑπερφαλάγγησις καὶ τί ὑπερκέρασις
Ὑπερφαλάγγισις [μὲν]a ἐστιν, ὅτ’ ἂν ἐξ ἑκατέρων τῶν κεράτων τῆς φάλαγγος [ὑπερέχωσι]b τῶν πολεμίων.
ὑπερκέρασις δέ [ἐστιν],c [ὅταν]d καθ’ ἓν κέρας [ὑπερέχομεν]e τῶν πολεμίων, ὥστε ὁ μὲν ὑπερφαλαγγῶν καὶ ὑπερκεράσει, ὁ δὲ ὑπερκερῶν οὐχ ὑπερφαλαγγήσει. [δυνατὸς]f γάρ ἐστιν καὶ ἐλάσσονα δύναμιν ἔχοντα ὑπερκεράσαι τοὺς πολεμίους.
[λεπτυσμὸς]g δέ ἐστιν, ὅτἂν τὸ βάθος τῆς φάλαγγος [συναιρεῖται]h καὶ ἀντὶ δεκαὲξ ἀνδρῶν ἐλάσσονες γίνωνται.
49. Outflanking and ‘over-fronting’ an enemy formation1
Hyperphalangisis [ὑπερφαλάγγησις] is the term used to describe when we outflank the enemy on each wing.
Hyperkerasis [ὑπερκέρασις] is the outflanking of the enemy with one wing. The commander who effects a hyperphalangisis likewise effects a hyperkerasis. However, the reverse does not follow for an army consisting of smaller numbers than an opponent, who may outflank them on one wing but not necessarily on both.
Leptysmos [λεπτυσμὸς] is the word used for the thinning of the phalanx by decreasing its depth and, instead of maintaining files of sixteen men, maintaining smaller files.2
ν’ Ὅτι πέντε τρόποι τῆς τῶν σκευοφόρων ἀγωγῆς, καὶ πότε δεῖ ἑκάστῳ τρόπῳ χρῆσθαι
Ἡ δὲ τῶν σκευοφόρων ἀγωγὴ ἀναγκαιοτάτη ἐν τοῖς μάλιστα καὶ ἡγεμόνος δεομένη τυγχάνει. τρόποι δέ εἰσι τῆς τῶν σκευοφόρων ἀγωγῆς πέντε. ἢ γὰρ [ἀυτοὺς προάγειν]a δεῖ τῶν δυνάμεων ἢ ἐπακολουθεῖν ἢ ἑκατέρωθεν [τῶν πλευρῶν εἶναι]b ἢ [τὸ]c πέμπτον ὑπὸ τῶν δυνάμεων περιέχεσθαι.
πρὸ μὲν τῆς φάλαγγος, [ἐὰν ἐκ πολεμίας ἀπίῃς, ἐπὶ δὲ τῇ φάλαγγι],d ἐὰν [ες]e πολεμίαν ἐμβάλῃς, παρὰ δὲ [τὸ]f φάλαγγα, ἐὰν τὰ πλάγια φοβούμενος πορεύῃ, ἐν δὲ τῇ φάλαγγι, ἐὰν κοῖλον τὸ τάγμα [τυγχάνῃς]g ἄγων.
50. The various methods for leading the baggage train, and when each method should be used1
The transportation of the baggage is a matter of the utmost importance and requires the responsibility of a special officer. Baggage is conveyed in five various ways: it may move ahead of the army; it may follow behind the army; it may proceed on one flank or the other; or it can proceed in the centre, surrounded by troops.
The baggage ought to precede the army when an attack is expected from the rear; it should follow when the army is ready to engage to the front; it should be conveyed on one flank or the other, which is the opposite to the one that is threatened; or it should be conveyed in the centre when necessity demands the adoption of a hollow square formation.
να’ Περὶ τῶν ἐξοπλισίας παραγγελμάτων, καὶ πῶς δεῖ μὴ ἀμφίβολα αὐτὰ εἶναι
Τελευταῖον δὲ [τὰ]a παραγγέλματα τῆς ἐξοπλισίας ἀποδοῦναι δι’ ὀλίγων, προειπόντας πρῶτον μέν, ὅτι δεῖ ταῦτα σύντομα εἶναι, εἶτα μὴ ἔχοντα ἀμφιβολίαν. κατὰ τάχος γὰρ ὑπακούοντες φυλάσσεσθαι [ἀυτὰς]b ἀμφιβολίας ὀφείλουσιν, ἵνα [μὴ]c οἱ μὲν τόδε τί ποιῶσιν, οἱ δὲ τούτῳ τὸ ἐναντίον. οἷον, ἐὰν λέγω κλῖνον, δύνανται τοῦ ὀνόματος τούτου ἀκούσαντες οἱ μὲν ἐπὶ δόρυ, οἱ δὲ ἐπ’ ἀσπίδα κλῖναι, καὶ ταραχὴν οὐκ ὀλίγην τὸ πρᾶγμα παρέξει. ἐπεὶ οὖν γένους τάξιν ἔχει τὸ εἰπεῖν κλῖνον, [ἐκέλεύσα δὲ]d ἐπὶ δόρυ ἢ ἐπ’ ἀσπίδα δεήσει ἀντὶ τοῦ εἰπεῖν κλῖνον ἐπὶ δόρυ εἰπεῖν ἐπὶ δόρυ κλῖνον, [τουτέστι]e προτάξαι τὸ εἶδος καὶ ἐπιφέρειν τὸ γένος. ὁμοῦ γὰρ πάντες τὸ αὐτὸ ποιήσουσι. καὶ ὁμοίως μεταβαλοῦ ἢ ἐξέλισσε. πάλιν γὰρ ταῦτα γένους τάξιν ἔχει, διὸ τὰ εἴδη προτάξομεν, οἷον ἐπὶ δόρυ μεταβαλοῦ ἢ ἐπ’ ἀσπίδα μεταβαλλοῦ. διόπερ οὕτως παραγγελοῦμεν τὸν Λάκωνα ἐξελίσσειν, τὸν Μακεδόνα [ἐξελίσσειν, τὸν χόριον ἐξελίσσειν. ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃς ἐξέλισσε τὸν Μακεδόνα]f ἢ ἐξέλισσε τὸν Λάκωνα, συμβήσεται, ἐὰν προτάξῃς τὸν ἐξελιγμόν, ἄλλο καὶ ἄλλο τὸ εἶδος ποιήσειν τοῦ ἐξελιγμοῦ. τούτου δὴ χάριν φυλακτέον τὰς εἰρημένας ἀμφιβολίας καὶ τὰ εἴδη προτάσσειν τῶν γενῶν.
51. The words of command for those under arms, and how encompassing they should be1
Lastly, it is proper to outline the words of command, emphasizing that they ought to be short and without ambiguity. As the men are required to promptly carry out what they are commanded to perform, everything that is ambiguous must be carefully avoided, lest some of the men do one thing and some of them another. Thus, if you simply give the command ‘face!’, some of those who hear it may turn to the right, and others to the left, and this will result in no small amount of confusion. As the word ‘face’ has only a general meaning, it is proper to add ‘to the p
ike’ or ‘to the shield’. However, instead of saying ‘face to the pike’ [κλῖναι ἐπὶ δόρυ], it is better to say ‘to the pike, face!’ [ἐπὶ δόρυ κλῖναι], prefixing the particular direction before the general command. The reasoning behind this holds true in every case. For example, to merely command ‘wheel!’ or ‘counter-march!’ only conveys the general term and, therefore, the particular prefix is added: ‘to the pike, wheel!’ or ‘to the shield, wheel!’. For the same reason, the orders for counter-marches are designated as ‘Lacedaemonian, counter-march!’, ‘Macedonian, counter-march!’ and ‘Choral, counter-march!’ If, on the other hand, the command ‘counter-march!’ is given first, it may happen that some of the soldiers will execute the movement in one way, and some in another. On this account, all ambiguities must be avoided, and it is proper to prefix the particular direction to the general command.
νβ’ Περὶ τῶν σιωπὴν καὶ προσέχειν
δεῖ [δὲ]a πρὸ πάντων παραγγέλλειν σιωπὴν [προσέχειν κελεύσαντα]b τῷ παραγγελλομένῳ, ὅπερ καὶ Ὅμηρος ἐν τοῖς μάλιστα ἐσημειώσατο.
ἡγεμόνες δὲ μάλιστα Δαήμονες ἐστιχοώντο νωλεμέως πόλεμόν δε, κέλευε δὲ οἷσιν ἕκαστος ἡγεμόνων, οἱ δ’ ἄλλοι ἀκὴν ἔχον οὐ δέκε φαίης τόσσον λαὸν ἕπεσθαι ἔχοντ’ ἐν στήθεσιν αὐδήν σιγῇ δειδιότες σημάντορος ἀνδρὸς ἐνιπήν.
The Tactics of Aelian Page 14