Battles of the Ancientsさんのイラストまとめ

In c.328 BC Philip - a member of Alexander the Great's infantry guard - ran c.80 km to keep up with a cavalry chase. He fought in the ensuing battle. Only at its end did ‘that vital spark which had kept him going desert him.’ He collapsed and died from exhaustion moments later

At its beginning, it appears the Macedonian phalanx was primarily trained to be formed 16-men deep and 8-men across – the men being in very close order thanks to the small size of their shields. This basic tactical unit consisted of 128 men, commanded by an officer: a 'lochagos'.

By 323 BC the number of Asian battalions in Alexander the Great's army far outnumbered the Macedonian contingents in size and strength. Among them were some of the finest cavalrymen in the whole of Asia - hailing from noble Oriental families.

For 12 years - between 336 and 324 BC - the Athenian statesman Lycurgus oversaw a remarkable rebuilding and rearmament program in his home city - rebuilding its strength as Alexander the Great campaigned far away to the east

Forged in the fires of Bessi blacksmiths since at least 350 BC, the rhomphaia has become the iconic killing machine associated with ancient Thracian warfare. It consisted of a long iron blade – acutely-curved and finely-balanced.

Art based on screenshot by Malay Archer

Some argue Alexander the Great decided on crossing the Gedrosian Desert because of the man’s pothos - his desire to outdo all before him or out of revenge for his troops’ earlier mutiny in India. Yet others believe Alexander simply made a mistake in his logistical planning.

Many Cappadocians were raised from an early age to ride and fight from horseback – lightly-armed. No strangers to Persian service, these Cappadocian horsemen formed the keystone of the region’s military strength.

Artwork by © Johnny Shumate.

Each Macedonian soldier of Philip II would have to carry arms and armour, rations, utensils, blankets, road-building tools, medical supplies, a thirty-day supply of flour and any personal possessions in a backpack. Altogether this weighed c.40kg.

Artwork by © Johnny Shumate.

Perdiccas’ noble background had ensured he was raised for war since childhood and by the time he had reached his 26th year, the Orestian prince had risen to command 1 of Alexander the Great’s infantry battalions.

King Antiochus III showed remarkable heroism at the Battle of the Arius River in 208 BC. Knowing that the fate of the battle depended on holding off the enemy cavalry force long enough for his army to form up, he fought in the thickest of the action with his royal guard