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The Macedonian phalanx was based on the sixteen-deep file, although the file leader’s title of dekarch attested to an earlier ten-deep organisation. Alexander’s phalanx fought eight deep; by Polybius’ time, perhaps as a result of Pyrrhus’ experiences against the Romans, the phalanx fought sixteen deep. For much of its existence, the phalanx was formed along the following lines. Four files (‘dekas’) each of 16 men formed the smallest unit, the semaia. Two semaia formed a 128-man lochos, commanded by a lochagos.

Alongside the lochagos, other specialised soldiers also served alongside each lochos. There was the bugler – the salpingetes – who would relay messages with his bugle during the heat of battle. There was also a signalman – called the semeiphoros – who would give visual signals during the march with his standard, as well as an army herald – a stratokerux – who would shout out orders. There was also an aide – a hyperetes – who was to convey messages between units and do whatever the lochagos required, and finally a file closer – the ouragos – who would collect any stragglers from the phalanx.

Two lochoi formed a 256-man syntagma. Two syntagmai formed a 512-man pentakosiarchia and two pentakosiarchiai a 1,024-man chiliarchy. Two such chiliarchies formed a phalanx (or phalanx taxis) of 2,048 men.

Alexander’s phalanx (and hence Philip’s and any preceding phalanx) appears to have been organised somewhat differently, with three 512-man pentakosiarchiai per phalanx (phalanx taxis). Alexander appears to have reorganised them into 2,048-man phalanxes in 326 BC, setting the pattern for the Hellenistic era.

The phalanx was intended to be used as part of a combined-arms army. The other arms were missile infantry (archers, occasionally also slingers), javelinmen (capable of skirmishing and of supporting cavalry, and able to enter melee at need) and peltasts, the latter being Thracians and/or mercenary Greeks. Alexander also fielded allied Greek hoplites in his army up to the burning of Persepolis and subsequent dissolution of the League of Corinth.

On the flanks of the phalanx were the cavalry. Deployed in support of the cavalry were the missilemen and javelinmen, who appear to have had the role of concentrating missiles where the cavalry were about to strike. Peltasts and allied hoplites in Alexander’s army normally formed a second line, which could retrieve the situation if the phalanx became split for any reason.


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