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The phalanx was a formation of warriors 16-deep where the three front ranks' pikes provided a mass of points which attackers would impale themselves. The other ranks rested their pikes on the shoulders in front and these helped to deflect missiles. Cavalry on the flanks attacked any attempt to outflank the phalanx, and light infantry provided a link between the cavalry and the phalanx.

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The battle formation of the ancient Greeks called the phalanx was adopted by Alexander the great. Although this formation was constructed in several ways by Alexander as battle fields differed, there is still the basic formation that can be described as this:

* The infantry soldiers were armed with spears and shields; and

* The classic formation consisted of sixteen rows of sixteen men each forming a square.


Alexander preferred heavily armed soldiers in his basic phalanx. And, their formations could be altered based on battle field conditions and also how his cavalry would attack. Generally, the infantry held the middle of his lines and his cavalry would attack the enemy's flanks. All of this however is "textbook " Alexander the Great operations. He was flexible always.

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Q: What was the classic phalanx battle formation under Alexander the Great?
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Related questions

What was Alexander the great's battle formation?

Phalanx: A formation of infantry carrying overlapping sheilds and long spears, developed by the spartans, perfected by Philip the Second and used by Alexander the Great.


What is the Battle formation used by ancient Spartans?

Phalanx Formation


What is a phalanx?

A phalanx was a military formation of packed ranks of infantry locked into formation with spears providing offensive and defensive capability, and shields providing lateral and overhead protection.


What type of battle stratiegies did ancient Greece use?

the battle formation that ancient Greece used was called the phalanx formation.


What is a Phalanx in ancient Greece?

A massed fighting formation of armoured infantry.


When was the phalanx invented?

The phalanx was invented by the ancient Greeks, but is seen most when Alexander The Great was in power. Alexander improved the phalanx by adding the pike (an 18 foot spear) to it increasing its effectiveness in battle.


What battle formation produced the powerful fighting force in the ancient world?

Phalanx


What advantage did Philips soldiers have?

Their battle formation - the phalanx was a massed formation which broke less cohesive ranks. Their spears were twice as long as other Greek spears which added to the phalanx's power.


When the hoplites or infantry soldiers went into battle the marched shoulder to shoulder in a formation called a?

The hoplites fought in the phalanx formation.


What battle formation produced the most powerful fighting force in the ancient world?

Phalanx


What type of terrain was the best for the Greek battle formation of the phalanx?

Flat land allowed it to keep close formation and change its frontal direction easily, however that also favoured enemy cavalry, so the phalanx needed its own cavalry support to protect it, and also th stop enemy light infantry from attacking from all sides.


Why did ancient Rome decide to abandon the Greek phalanx battle formation?

Ancient Rome had originally fought as part of a phalanx similar to the Greek version. A evolution of change began when the Roams found out at the River Allia, this formation could be subject to an envelope tactic which enabled the attackers to penetrate the Roman flanks. In time the phalanx was therefore discarded into the legion.