Table of Contents
What is significant about the Macedonians?
Macedonia, a small kingdom in northern Greece, established a growing empire from 359 B.C. to 323 B.C. through the reign of several kings. With Alexander the Great, Macedonia would come to conquer many lands and usher in the Hellenistic age in the region.
How did Alexander the Great organize the Macedonian army?
In battle, the Greek hoplites had a less active role than the Macedonian phalangites and hypaspists. At Gaugamela, the Greek infantry formed the defensive rear of the box formation Alexander arranged his army into, while the Macedonians formed its front face.
Where is the helmet of Alexander the Great?
This is a reproduction of the helmet of Alexander the Great, as seen on the famous Alexander Sarcopahus now at the Archeological Museum, Istanbul.
What did Alexander the Great wear on his head?
When Alexander the Great (r. 336–323 BC) became king, he issued coins that were purposely similar to popular coins picturing Herakles. Claiming that the god was his ancestor, Alexander portrayed himself as the hero wearing the lion’s skin as a helmet.
What was the significance of Alexander the Great?
Although king of ancient Macedonia for less than 13 years, Alexander the Great changed the course of history. One of the world’s greatest military generals, he created a vast empire that stretched from Macedonia to Egypt and from Greece to part of India. This allowed for Hellenistic culture to become widespread.
What does Alexander the Great wear on his head?
Why was Alexander the Great’s army so strong?
Thanks to his father, Alexander’s army was largely a professional one. In earlier times, Macedonians would stop fighting during the harvest, but Philip and Alexander paid the men enough that they could afford to be soldiers full-time. This meant they were often better trained than their adversaries.
How did Egypt make an impression on the Macedonian troops?
Passing by the ancient religious site of Heliopolis (Iunu) with its vast white temples and obelisks, Egypt made an enormous impression on both the Macedonian troops and their 24 year old leader.
How did the Macedonian army change over time?
At the heart of this change were sweeping reforms of the Macedonian state and army. In the past, the kingdom produced some decent cavalry, but few other soldiers of much account. Greek warfare was still dominated by the hoplite, armoured spearman who fought in the close-knit ranks of the phalanx.
What kind of weapons did the Macedonians use?
But instead of the typical 10-foot-long hoplite spear or dory, he issued each Macedonian infantryman with a much bulkier 16 to18-foot pike known as a sarissa. The weapons required two hands to wield and infantrymen who carried them needed special training to stay in formation so that serried rows of pike-heads projected in front of them.