Search found 242 matches

by alejandro
Wed Jul 12, 2006 12:32 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Cavalry Shields
Replies: 3
Views: 1893

Hi there, I have no real knowledge about the true reason for not having a shield, but I would guess that it could be related to the fact that cavalry is mobile and, thus, unlikely to be a sitting target for javelinmen or archers (the obvious reply would be to charge them if possible or retreat if no...
by alejandro
Tue May 16, 2006 7:07 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Antipater's summons to Babylon
Replies: 32
Views: 12895

Hi Paralus, I agree with your point that Krateros' stay in Cydna was a rather extended one. And I read with horror that Krateros may have met Kassandros while there: to think that Krateros could be plotting against Alexander is something difficult to digest. He was always portrayed as a loyal subjec...
by alejandro
Mon May 15, 2006 5:40 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Antipater's summons to Babylon
Replies: 32
Views: 12895

adding more uncertainty?

Hi there, I've been following this excellently argued thread, and I wanted to add something to it. One possible scenario mentioned in your posts was one where Antipater refuses to yield his "de facto" kingdom to Krateros. Several options are hypothesized about the timing of Krateros' arriv...
by alejandro
Wed May 10, 2006 10:06 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: How many of the Greek/ Macidonian veterans survived.....
Replies: 8
Views: 3456

digression

when political push inevitably came to phalangite shove,
Quality literature! I really like your prose Paralus!

Best

Alejandro
by alejandro
Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:37 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Serapis
Replies: 5
Views: 2628

I think I read somewhere that the story about Alexander being taken (intended to, actually) to the Serapis temple was very likely a propaganda operation by Ptolemy. Though it could also be the case that the alleged temple was dedicated to a local (Babylonian) deity with healing "powers" si...
by alejandro
Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:53 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: The Pixodarus Affair
Replies: 44
Views: 16600

Re: The Pixodarus Affair

why Alexander would ever have believed his ascension to the throne was threatened by the arranged marriage of Arrhidaeus to PixodarusGÇÖ daughter. It doesnGÇÖt make a lot of sense. It seems to me that by proffering Arrhidaeus as a potential son-in-law he was lessening ArrhidaeusGÇÖ status (by treat...
by alejandro
Sat Mar 04, 2006 2:19 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Were The Greeks Only ever Worth anything When Macedon was Bo
Replies: 25
Views: 5493

Re: To Jim

Jim,I think you crossed the line here. The fact that someone sees things differently from you doesn't mean that person is incapable of logical reasoning. I am almost sure that you do know that, if you want to have a healthy discussion, you must not insult the other person. Otherwise, it will seem th...
by alejandro
Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:14 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Rise Of Parthia ?
Replies: 9
Views: 2743

Re: Rise Of Parthia ?

Hello all,I just wanted to say that Alexander did fight a Parthian-like foe when he crossed the Oxos (I think) and pursued the Scythians. And yet he managed to be victorious in spite of the alleged inferiority of the phalanx (certainly less mobile than the Scythian horse-riders) and the unknown and ...
by alejandro
Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:32 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies
Replies: 29
Views: 9705

Re: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies 2

We may never reach an agreement on these matters and the experiment will never take place, but I will stick to my guns here, and say that Alex will either beat or get an alliance with each tribe/region in turn, both increasing his power and weakening the position of those not in alliance with him at...
by alejandro
Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:31 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies
Replies: 29
Views: 9705

Re: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies 2

Hi Paralus,True, AlexanderGÇÖs intentions will be crystal clear to Romans, Magna Graecians, Samnites and Carthaginians. But the question each one of them will have to answer is still the same: should we unite and fight against him or join him and be a vassal province in control of former enemiesGÇÖ ...
by alejandro
Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:25 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies
Replies: 29
Views: 9705

Re: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies 2

(sorry for the length of the post)And if the Romans arenGÇÖt that interested in an alliance, what about the Etruscans? Probably even less. But then consider the problem from the perspective of Magna Greece: If they donGÇÖt expect any help from the Romans and, if anything, a pat on the back from the ...
by alejandro
Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:24 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies
Replies: 29
Views: 9705

Re: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies 2

Hi Paralus,I would like to comment on your arguments about getting allies once in Italy.I remember once talking to my little brother about Alexander and explaining him his grand strategy. I pointed out that once a conqueror GÇôwith limited manpowerGÇô defeats the defending army, the problem of deali...
by alejandro
Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:22 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies
Replies: 29
Views: 9705

Re: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies 2

Hi Kenny,I didnGÇÖt say that one man cannot turn the tide of a battle. I totally agree with you that Alexander, El Cid and others can be the key factor in such encounters. I was looking for more permanent situations, those that can change the direction of history.If you want, I wanted to stress the ...
by alejandro
Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:21 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies
Replies: 29
Views: 9705

Re: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies 2

Hi Paralus,Thanks for the explanation and the particular application to Gaugamela. It is clear in it that Alexander was indeed aware of the tactical problem and planned accordingly (feeding new cavalry divisions into the gap). And he was cool enough as to stop Dareios pursuit and finish the main tas...
by alejandro
Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:50 pm
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies
Replies: 29
Views: 9705

Re: Phalanx and Legion: Hellenistic armies 2

Hi Paralus,I would like to check whether I understood your reasoning (as I said, I have no idea about tactical matters, so please bear with me).I think your point is that the Roman maniple is superior to the Macedonian phalanx because it is more mobile and hence can wheel around the phalanx and atta...