Hellenistic Land Battles 300-167 BCE

Fred Eugene Ray, Jr., is the author of both books and articles on the subject of ancient Greek warfare. A retired geologist and oil industry executive, he lives in Bakersfield, California.

Table of Contents


Preface

Introduction

1. Instruments of War: Last of the Successors (300–281 bce)

Grecian Warfare to the 3rd Century

New Contenders and Old Successors

2. Phalanx Versus Legion: Sicilian Tyrants and Pyrrhic Wars (280–275 bce)

Feuding Greeks and Carthage

Roman Warfare to the 3rd Century

Pyrrhus in the West

3. Gauls, Pyrrhus, Carthage and Rome: Gallic Invasions, Last of Pyrrhus and the First Punic/Mercenary War (279–237 bce)

Gauls and Greeks

Pyrrhus and Greece

The First Punic/Mercenary War

4. Sundered Realms: Achaean, Illyrian, Anatolian, Cleomenean and Syrian Wars (245–217 bce)

Achaean League and Illyrian Actions

Anatolia in Turmoil

Cleomenean War

Aratus’ Last Battle, Molon’s Revolt and the Fourth Syrian War

5. Phalanx Triumphant: The Second Punic War, Phase 1 (c. 236–211 bce)

Carthaginian Operations, 237–219

Northern Italy, 218–216

Italy, Sardinia and Iberia, 215–211

6. The Road to Zama: The Second Punic War, Phase 2 (210–202 bce)

Italy and Iberia, 210–205

Northern Italy and Africa, 204–202

7. Twilight of the Phalanx: Antiochus III, Philopoemen and the First/Second Macedonian Wars (214–196 bce)

Seleucia’s Frontiers

The First Macedonian War and Philopoemen’s Reforms

The Second Macedonian War

8. An End to the Greek Way of War: Seleucia in Decline and the Fall of Macedonia (195–167 bce)

The Wars Against Nabis and Antiochus

The Third Macedonian War

Hybridization of Hellenistic Warfare

Conclusions

Combat Formations—Revolution or Evolution?

Hoplites, Sarissaphoroi, Theurophoroi and Legionaries

Macedonian Cavalry Decline?

Phalanx or Legion?

Final Thoughts

Appendix 1: Roman Defeats at Allia (390 bce) and Caudium (321 bce)

Appendix 2: Hellenistic Land Battles/Keys to Victory (300–167 bce)

Appendix 3: Legion Versus Phlanx (280–168 bce)

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index