Alexander's Army: Tactics, Weapons, and Elite Units Explained

The passage details the composition of Alexander the Great’s army, about 40,000 strong.

In the front rank were 9,000 Macedonian Phalangites, armed with the 18-foot 'sarissa' spear. The second line, commanded by Nicanor, son of Parmenion, included seven thousand Greek allies and five thousand mercenaries trained as hoplites, drawing their fighting style from the hoplon shield and shorter eight-foot spears.

While a hoplite phalanx was not as effective as the Macedonian phalangites, it remained a well-armed and heavily armored formation for its era. The Agrianes, an elite skirmisher unit from the region that is now southern Bulgaria, provided the army’s top-tier long-range capability. Additional skirmishers came from Thrace and Illyria, equipped with javelins, slings, and bows, offering flexible support and harassment against foes.

The shock troops of Alexander’s army were the Companion Cavalry—about 1,800 elite horsemen armed with spear and sword—led by Philotas, another son of Parmenion. This passage emphasizes the diverse composition of Alexander’s forces, blending traditional Greek hoplite fighting with Macedonian phalanx tactics, elite light skirmishers, and the premier cavalry. It highlights how Alexander leveraged a range of units—each with distinct strengths—to achieve battlefield versatility. The inclusion of Philotas underscores the continued prominence of Parmenion’s family within the Macedonian leadership structure.

Overall, the narrative paints a picture of a highly organized and multifaceted army designed to execute both heavy infantry and rapid, decisive cavalry actions in coordination with skirmishing support.

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