Contenu
A fascinating, illustrated study of how the Roman Republican legions defeated the Macedonian army's much-vaunted phalanxes. The Battle of Cynoscephalae represents a key moment in the history of the Greco-Roman world, witnessing the end of decades of Macedonian dominance of Aegean Greece and heralding the rise of Rome in its place. The proud Macedonian kingdom of Philip V was humbled, and its army - including the famous phalanxes - utterly ruined. Yet the battle, and campaign leading up to it, was hard fought and protracted. Philip V had successfully defied Rome in the First Macedonian war and was poised to do so again. The phalanx continued to represent a fierce and daunting opponent for the Roman legionaries in 197 BC. Here, classical historian Dr Mark van der Enden explores the Battle of Cynoscephalae as the culmination of three years of intensive campaigning; the Battle of Aio Stena (198 BC) is also covered in detail. The wide range of troops of the two opposing armies, and their weaponry and tactics are revealed in battlescene artworks and photos of material culture. Maps and diagrams explore the movements to battle, and the command decisions that played a crucial role in the outcome. Dr van der Enden also examines whether Flaminius' victory truly demonstrated the superiority of the Roman legion (armed with short swords and javelins) over the Antigonid phalanx (armed with lengthy pikes), as is often claimed.