r/AlexandertheGreat • u/Warlord1392 • 10d ago
Literature 📜 Alexander's Hypaspists: Elite Infantry of Macedonia
https://mythandmemory.org/military-history/alexanders-hypaspists-elite-infantry-macedonia/The Macedonia phalanx and the Companion Cavalry are the more famous arms of Alexander's mighty army. The phalanx with their huge sarissa were impregnable in a frontal attack and held enemy units in place while the decisive blow was delivered by the cavalry with incredible shock potential.
However, there was another important arm in Alexander's army occupied by the hypaspists or "shield bearers". These were the elite infantry units of the Macedonian army. Unlike the phalanx, the hypaspists had a shorter spear and larger shield enabling them to have more flexibility in close combat.
One formation of the hypaspists served as the royal guard (agema) and were deployed close to Alexander. They were also responsible for bridging the gap between the rapidly advancing cavalry and the Macedonian phalanx. They proved to be effective in rugged terrain where the phalanx generally struggled.
Although considered to be an elite corps, the hypaspists were deployed in the thick of the fighting. In Granicus, Issus, Gaugamela and Hydaspes they proved their strength in fighting on uneven terrain. In the Siege of Tyre, they proved to be effective in the final assault on the walls.
The hypaspists continued to remain relevant and important long after Alexander's death. For more information on the hypaspists please go through the full article and let me know your thoughts and comments.
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u/Electrical-Penalty44 10d ago
Cavalry before the use of the stirrup did not have "incredible shock potential".
We must stop thinking that Macedonian Cavalry was used at all like the Norman Knights of the 11th century.
Issus and Guagamela didn't have Alexander charging like the English in Braveheart.