Hypaspists
The Hypaspistes are a troop of infantry of elite in the army Macedonian of Philippe II and Alexandre Large the and at the time of monarchies Séleucides and Antigonides.
At the time of Philippe II and Alexandre
Their complete name is ὑπασπισταὶ τῶν ἑταίρων / hupaspistaì tỗn hetaírôn (“Carry-shields of the Companions”). They are indeed in the beginning the servants weapons the phalangites. However Philippe II, in order to reduce the way of life of the latter, obliges them to carry themselves their weapons and their vivres. Following this reform, Hypaspistes, recruited among the noble young people Macedonians, form a unit of approximately: 3000 men divided into 6 loaches (battalions). They are ordered until in 330 av. J. - C. by Nicanor, wire of Parménion and brother of Philotas, then by Néoptolème.
Their armament is with the departure rather similar to that of the Greek Peltaste S. Like the phalangites, they do not carry an armor, except perhaps the officers. They are equipped with a round shield approximately 75 cm in diameter, of a helmet of the thrace type decorated with two feathers, of an iron sword and a short lance (the doratia ) more handy than the Sarisse. Hypaspistes thus form with the peltastes, slingers, javeliniers and archers the light infantry; but their power of shock rather connects them with phalangites in more mobile.
Hypaspistes of the first battalion, selected according to their size, form the royal agèma ; they are known under the name of basilikoi hypaspistai (“Carrying shield royal”). Hypaspistes royal keep the apartments of the king and occupy a place of honor in the battle order. It is thus at the same time of bodyguards (not to be confused with the seven Sômatophylaques) and about a unit of infantry of elite.
On the battle field the role of Hypaspistes is to be used as link between the riders and the infantrymen of the phalange. They protect the right side from the phalange, which is an honorary position since traditionally the army Macedonian launches on this side the decisive attack. Thus when the cavalry advances, it is in Hypaspistes to occupy the ground quickly by preceding the heavy infantry. At the end of the reign of Alexandre, during the program of India, the hypaspists veterans take the name of Argyraspides (“money Shields”).
At the time of monarchies séleucides and antigonides
August 1st
| Random links: | Ouroux-in-Morvan | Sarrecave | Raion de Anenii Noi | Glanerbeek | Wetterstein | Moriah,_New_York |