What was a phalanx and how was it used by Greek armies?

phalanx, in military science, tactical formation consisting of a block of heavily armed infantry standing shoulder to shoulder in files several ranks deep. Fully developed by the ancient Greeks, it survived in modified form into the gunpowder era and is viewed today as the beginning of European military development.

Did the Greeks use the phalanx?

The phalanx (Ancient Greek: φάλαγξ; plural phalanxes or phalanges, φάλαγγες, phalanges) was a rectangular mass military formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, sarissas, or similar pole weapons.

Why was this army formation considered more flexible than the Greek phalanx?

Short arms made it easier for individual soldiers or subunits to turn and change direction. Too, careful articulation, a well-rehearsed command system, and the use of standards—which do not seem to have been carried by Hellenistic armies—made the legion a much more flexible organization than the phalanx.

What made the Macedonian phalanx more effective than the Greek?

Because the Macedonians had light infantry, light calvary and heavy calvary to complement their phalanx, the Macedonian phalanx was designed to hold the enemy, and control space while these more mobile specialized troops destroyed the enemy by flanking or the use of projectile weapons.

What were helots in ancient Greece?

helot, a state-owned serf of the ancient Spartans. The ethnic origin of helots is uncertain, but they were probably the original inhabitants of Laconia (the area around the Spartan capital) who were reduced to servility after the conquest of their land by the numerically fewer Dorians.

What made Greek armor and weapons superior to adversaries outside of Greece?

However, as the Greeks were exposed to iron weapons during their “Dark Age”, they adopted this more powerful metal in the weaponry. In the hands of a well-trained and disciplined soldier, these tools made him far superior to most of the enemy adversaries from outside of Greece.

Why was the Macedonian phalanx so effective?

The Macedonian phalanx was so strong because it was an improvement on the already impressive Greek phalanx, which had performed well against lighter-armed armies like the Persians.

Why was the Macedonian phalanx effective?

The extreme length of the sarissa meant that up to five layers of pikes protruded ahead of the front man – allowing the phalanx to steamroll any opponent. So long as its rear and flank were protected, the formation was extremely powerful both as a defensive and an offensive weapon.

What was the role of the helots?

helot, a state-owned serf of the ancient Spartans. It was the responsibility of the Spartan secret police, the Krypteia, to patrol the Laconian countryside and put to death any supposedly dangerous helots. Sparta’s conservative foreign policy is often attributed to the fear of revolts by the helots.

Did Greeks use cavalry?

Citizen cavalry Horseshoes and stirrups were unknown to the Greeks. Cavalry first became important in the Macedonian army under Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great. Although in earlier times the number of horsemen in the Greek forces was low, in Alexander’s later army they formed nearly a sixth.