Macedonian Phalanx vs Roman Legion | Battle of Pydna 168 BC | Cinematic Battle

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Check out War Thunder and use my link for a free large bonus back with boosters, vehicles, and more: playwt.link/aditulaudis War Thunder is a highly detailed vehicle combat game containing over 2,000 playable tanks, aircraft, and ships spanning over 100 years of development. Immerse yourself completely in dynamic battles with an unparalleled combination of realism and approachability.

[@NotEvenDeathCanSaveU]

Thanks for using BC and not the BCE nonsense.

[@JawsOfHistory]

Paullus celebrated one of the most spectacular triumphs in all of Roman history and brought home a truly ludicrous amount of loot. His crowning achievement was having the Macedonian King walk in his triumph, which many contemporaries and modern scholars see as the high-point of the Middle Republic. He was also the father of Scipio Aemelianus, the Roman general who burned Carthage to the ground and the son of the Roman consul, Aemilius Paullus, who died at the battle of Cannae.

[@rickjohnson1266]

@@JawsOfHistory but not related to Field Marshall Paulus of Stalengrad infamy.

[@Warmaker01]

The whole thing of the Macedonian Wars kicked off during the height of the Second Punic War between Carthage & Rome. This huge war had Rome on the ropes and Macedon decided to side with Carthage. Rome never forgot that.

[@sanele2948]

For the Romans it was treachery and betrayal. For the Creeks “bro this guy’s becoming to powerful let’s team up” literally! That’s why after Alexander died there was no unification. Been that way for hundreds of years before. Greeks will be Greeks 😂

[@abdulmunir395]

Would it have made any difference in the long term whether they sided with Carthage or not? I doubt very much that eventual results would have been any different for the Macedonian

[@sanele2948]

@@abdulmunir395 yes after centuries of civil war the Greeks power was fading but at same time no new tactics developed no innovation. They were still using tactics developed my Philip the second.

[@dacedruss]

the Macedonians by this stage no longer had access to enough cavalry to make the phalanx effective, the use of 16 by 16 formations in 256 man battalions and the Sarissa should be used to pinion enemy formations in place the phalangite's not on the front line would place their sarissa's which were 18 foot in length on the enemy heads shields and shoulders , preventing them from turning and holding them in place while the rear lines would hold theirs at a 45 degree angle to prevent missile fire hitting the troops, the cavalry was supposed to be used to actually break enemy formations but by this stage Macedon just couldn't field enough, initially in this battle the Macedonians were winning but when the Romans withdrew to more uneven ground the phalanxe followed and lost to compactness of their units which allowed the Romans to close the distance imposed by the 18 foot sarissa's , from that the battle was lost, if the Macedons had enough heavy cavalry they would have swept the field, the Diadochi wars had depleted their stock to the point it was primarily cheaper light cavalry that they fielded

[@agar2134]

I've noticed that too when a play total war even the weakest Macedonian unit would crushed Rome's strongest units as long as I placed Macedonian companion cavalry and cretan archers on good positions

[@greattribulation1388]

No, the phalanx just was just too cumbersome and inflexible. The scutum made it difficult to inflict damage and the pila toss was devastating. The sarissa blocking incoming fire is pure myth.

[@thijsjong]

@@greattribulation1388 agreed. I dont see how sarissa could block pilae. Alexander had medium infantry covering the phalanx flank. Those men had larger shields and shorter spears or swords than phalangalites. And were more mobile. They also supported the light infantry and misile troops. And if possibls filled up the gap between the phalanx and cavalry. hypaspists. And this time elephants actually worked. I think the macedons should have widened their phalanx front and kept light and medium infantry in reserve to support the phalanx and cavalry. Lessen the depth from 16 to 12. But the extra wide front could have supported the falnks better.

[@josephdemarco8931]

The Diadochi Wars were 120 years before this battle. After all that time they couldn't restock their calvary?

[@HellMac]

Nice. I'd like to point out a mistake, the Antigonid dynasty originated from Antigonus the first, who was Alexander's general. Alexander himself was a member of the Argead dynasty.

[@chriswilletts3621]

Epic. Really enjoyed that. That first Phalanx push must've looked terrifying 😅

[@izuru_kamukura_23]

Great video, I like the camera angles you always use, it feels like a war movie

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

thanks!

[@RomulusBattles]

Awesome video, mate 🔥 Love the map details and how you show the army movements in real time. You did a fantastic job 👍

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

thanks man

[@JRRodriguez-nu7po]

Biggest weaknesses of Phalanx was uneven ground and flanking. Here both were at play assuring the end of phalanx superiority.

[@adammac4960]

The Hellenistic kingdoms fought a lot different to way Alexander did. To Alexander the Phalanx was nothing but a pinning tool, to hold the enemy in place while using his mobile and auxiliary units to attack the flanks and rear. By the time the kingdoms went against Rome the phalanx became the main arm and was used more offensively. It was more heavier and immobile. It’s hard to say if the Romans using its system at the time would have fared against Alexander’s combined arms.

[@Aristocles22]

If Alexander himself was there, Rome would have needed someone like Caesar to win a battle against him. If it was Alexander's army but not Alexander himself, Rome would still have won, as they were familiar with phalanx tactics, while Alexander's army was used to fighting against Persians or other Greeks.

[@zaldy3243]

@@Aristocles22 nobody know ...Alexander is such a genius strategist...remember he defeated an army of elephant wars too..

[@jbatts834]

Alexander also reigned during the peak of Macedonian resources and manpower, after the Persian conquest and the diadochi wars, all of that was depleted.

[@joemahon3284]

Well, we can use the battles against phyrus as some idea. Would have been brutal, but possibly alexander would have won, but the Romans would just never give up and keep fighting. Raise yet another army to fight. Probably would have worn him down.

[@Utubeasiangirls]

@@zaldy3243 Every generation of any kingdom had a genius , can't say for sure if Alexander would have beat Rome,Phalanx was just too outdated and Romans kept improving their war tactics.

[@pa5287]

Well put together enjoyed watching.

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Thanks 👍

[@Panos_Sa]

As I said before thumbs up for this video! Great job! I am Greek from this region and I know a lot about this battle.

[@inquisitorkrieger8171]

This is why we always stagger the line, soldiers. So we don't get enveloped.

[@Gibson7Clans]

There is a historical report from a Roman General, stating that the only thing he fears, is the Macedonian Phalanx.

[@greattribulation1388]

Love this. Great oratory with cool total war docudrama feel

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Thanks!

[@alexnord5756]

Прекрасная подача материала и визуал и текст и речь, очень интересно

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Thank you

[@greatndit]

18:03 charged by elephant from the rear... now that's GGWP

[@RickGamer123]

Impressive as always.!

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Thanks Rick!

[@malgusvitiate7002]

Those cinematic camera angles of Roman and Macedonian soldiers being lopped apart never ceases to amuse me😈! For future videos, you should do the Battle of Kadesh (1274 B.C.E.) and Suppiluliuma vs. Tausret (non-historical) for Pharaoh, the Battle of Watling Street (61 C.E.) and Kush vs. Pergamon (non-historical) for Rome II, and the Siege of Milan (452 C.E.) and Burgundians vs. Ebdanians (non-historical) for Attila. Keep up the excellent work churning out more fantastic cinematic videos such as these👍😁!

[@estefanhernandez8308]

Most of us watching this have played rome total war... and I love that we learned a lot of history because of it

[@johnking6252]

Thank you for the information, was surprised to learn of the conflict at a crucial time in Roman development. 👍

[@Simple_historyy]

Really great video

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Ithinksometimesinthelife]

This is so cool!!! Can you make the samnite wars or the battle of Actium next?

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

never done fleet battles yet. Could give it a try in the future.

[@Ithinksometimesinthelife]

​@@AdituLaudisMMXXI I think it could be cool

[@MrGaraa989]

nice video thx

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Glad you liked it!

[@JF-yu9ct]

Wonderful video ! Nicely edited ;) Would you mind sharing your graphic preset and/or your GEM settings ? Everything is maxed out on my game but it looks nothing like this… Thanks !

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Thanks! It's not GEM, I use reshade

[@JF-yu9ct]

Could you share your preset ? @@AdituLaudisMMXXI

[@MyDoodad]

The issue isn't as simple as "yeah duh, just flank the phalanx". The mastery is commanding an army that large with just horns and banners to pull it off effectively while you watch from a distance. It requires immense discipline and training both in the troops and the staff managing them.

[@4Kandlez]

Yeah, we know

[@chewbacca7690]

lmao i just started watching your video and was playing war thunder 5 secs before, great video

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

awesome, that's a great game! Played it too

[@thundershirt1]

"One does not just use Sean Bean's voice..."

[@uzumaki3457]

I love whe they toke units frome Rome total war divided et empire, and its even better to see this video 😊

[@timwo1f]

amazing

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@colin2utube]

Cinematics were good, and the script dramatic, but the commentary audio stereo imaging was a bit inconsistent !? (eg at 1:03 the cut mid-sentence just before "effectively", and numerous others are distracting). Was interesting and enjoyable overall !

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

thank you! I will improve the commentary audio going forward

[@1czechit1]

the video keeps crossing the camera line creating confusion.

[@EpochBattles]

Are you using Adobe After effect for animating tactical formations?

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

No

[@fly_pie_1172]

How did you recreate this? custom 4v4 with 4 players coordinated?

[@EpochBattles]

How do you have massive units like that? is this mod or pack file manager?

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

mod

[@CarlosVermeerschSantana]

Excellent work. May I ask whether you had to pay for the rights for the battle images taken from Rome 2 Total War?

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Thanks. No, you can use Rome 2 footage

[@CarlosVermeerschSantana]

@@AdituLaudisMMXXI Thank you very much for answering!

[@fasfas8999]

Esta batalla estuvo dirigida por Perseo de forma pèsima como se v en el video si hubiera estado Pirro otra batalla se hubiera apreciado no se el resultado pero ...

[@nzl1977]

Epic 👋

[@mikeLiVigni-r9f]

what Rome 2 mods are being used? The units look more historically accurate here

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Check video description

[@SmithM1911]

What mods and base game is this ? Thanks :)

[@johnirby8847]

The lack of cavalry and existing cavalry not charging was borderline treason. This isn't the greatest example of successful use of hammer and anvil. And it worked well with Hannibal.

[@jbatts834]

They didn’t have access to enough cavalry, it wasn’t a tactical choice.

[@johnirby8847]

@jbatts834 Why didn't the cavalry they did have do nothing?

[@AITSNS-]

How do uou control the opposite cpu? I also want to make cinema like you

[@macdavid20]

Would Be great if it was Faster Paced ! Please!!!

[@generalvikus2138]

I've never seen or heard of a phalanx deployed in a triple line before, and I don't see the point. Was this normal?

[@riekopo7638]

Rome Remastered and its mods would be better to depict battles than Rome 2 imo.

[@TheLucanicLord]

Makes a change to see the Romans using heavylumps, and for once doing more damage to the opponents than their own side.

[@lesliesylvan]

Looking for historical verification that Romans of that period used only a single rider, with no "castle" atop. 40 of likely smaller N. African decent or an extinct Asian specie In checking further, it seems that battle of Pydna had 22 Elephants against the Greeks /And 2 to six riders, depending on size of animal and equipment. Up to 600 pounds (not a lot)

[@ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣΧΡΗΣΤΑΚΗΣ-ι6ψ]

There were no more qualifate generals and tacticians worth at that era in the Hellenic world that can effectively use the Hellenic arms and tacticks against Rome,the Pyrus of Eperus and the Dimitrius the sieger were some exceptions to that "rule" which were very promising and had the means but not the character to do so and yet traditionaly the Greeks as always were occupite to fighting themselves and waste valuable ressursces in men and materials to prolonge and unnecessary civil wars than used them against foreigners,if someone can count the Rome a foreigner at all!

[@EpochBattles]

Can you give me the name of the mod for massive battle please? I would like play and see if my pc can handle this.

[@변하은-b2e]

wow no lags?

[@jidechukwuwilliams4833]

What game is this plss

[@GeorgE-yo5yc]

How effective were the phalanx at crushing the Roman front line though? Wasn't it hard for the Romans to fight through the multiple piercing spikes while sustaining low losses?

[@andreasfilis9001]

@@GeorgE-yo5yc it was devastating. If the Phalanx remained united nothing could stop it from the front. But it lost its cohesion due to the terrain.

[@joaomanoel3197]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Nervii_Champion]

God I wish the Divide Et Impera team made shield models and skins for all the Greek city states in Wrath Of Sparta DLC for Rome II, rather than just lazily throwing in Macedonian Wars as a replacement. I think the Parabellum mod kind of helps in that regard, though. Can use some slower battle mods to make them similar to what DEI mod is.

[@pierredelacrau1097]

Je crois deviner derrière le "manipulateur" des sous-titres français le mot latin "manipula" (la manipule était une des sections ou compagnies constituant les légions) système manipulaire aurait donc été plus sérieux comme traduction.

[@Kranos_Gaming]

What mods did you use in this?

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Check video description, I have a list. Cheers!

[@Kranos_Gaming]

Thx! I wonder what particular mod adds that red painted and with extra neck guards thracian helmet some of the phalangite soldiers wear?@@AdituLaudisMMXXI

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

@@Kranos_Gaming maybe Legendary HD Greece mods

[@Kranos_Gaming]

I guess all of these are compatible with DEI right? I wonder if the unit cards have been updated as well to match the new skins!@@AdituLaudisMMXXI

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

@@Kranos_Gaming yep

[@jayjay8970]

So King Perseus got undone by what is effectively the most common well-known and simple strategy that every Total War player knows. Flank with cavalry. Surely if you can see that the Romans have a much more superior right flank, you reinforce your left? If you have a phalanx and gaps form, you plug them with counter charges in turn outflanking the flanking Romans that are filling the gaps? Sounds like Persus had no idea what he was doing and sat out half the battle doing nothing.

[@Beaver-Daggett]

Я так понимаю что утроение численности манипул, показаных в ролике, сделана, чтобы отряды в игре не начали драпать раньше времени.))

[@stuka80]

The legions that fought the Hellenistic kingdoms were the best that republican rome ever produced, all were veterans of the hard school of the Hannibalic war.

[@StormRider-t4q]

Them: "Pike warfare was invented in the late medieval period." Some Macedonian: "Look, all I did was copy someone's tactics from 1400 years ago."

[@OlivierMosimann]

17:55 WoW, too rare for an Anglo Saxon narrator to pronounce « coup de grâce » correctly 👏🏻

[@tempest7341]

Eu achava que Roma não usava 🐘 pra guerra pôr serem descontrolados em batalha 🤔

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Guess they did in this battle

[@carek3433]

No shout out to TW?

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

What do you mean?

[@JK-bl2sg]

You should structure your videos to have less of the fighting scenes and more of a macroscopic view, along with more talking points. It's hard to follow the story with 10 second breaks between fighting and a few seconds of narration here and there. You might as well create a whole CGI battle and not even narrate.

[@ИгорьГаврилов-ш7ъ]

А сколько римлян погибло в той битве?

[@SuperAsian78]

Why wouldn’t the phalanx dedicate some men on the flanks to position their huge spears outwards????

[@williamgeorge2433]

Persons was no Alexander.

[@dDYHA]

Саша Македонский совершил ошибку. Не рассмотрел Римскую империю и не дал команду её раздавить.

[@orincoon5585]

ROMA Invictus!

[@terracub]

The music has to go. And I don't know what's matter with your voice man but it's weird

[@pietrolagana5789]

There Washington also numidian cavalry

[@19Burgandy]

I'm always late to the party

[@Devoted_believer]

The Romans are only hill campers 🤣

[@stemill1569]

as well this video is made. It has an annoying AI voice. Dude, why not using your own voice? Using a game for the on screen action is always nice. But the tactical map was also clumsy made. It's still better than the netflix Alexander show. But that's not hard to be honest.

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

That is a person’s voice my man. And you should try and do the tactical map animation. I’ll pay you if you can do it better ;)

[@yanbaihuzxzxzx]

Basically rome won due to diplomacy, they sweetened deals with people, if the greek kingdoms was smart they wouldve attacked when Hannibal was sacking the boot. Rome couldnt with stand getting hit by all fronts. Romans had a few horseshoes for luck

[@eddyr1041]

Roman engineering wins here... besides that roman are practically greek

[@giannastavros4653]

lol greek?????????????????

[@eliasmiranda5896]

total war: rome 2

[@paolorospo5662]

MI PERMETTA : non si dice manipolativo ma la tattica del manipolo si dice MANIPOLARE, la cui efficace agilita' sara' ancora migliorata nella tecnica della coorte, che si dice COORTICA. distinti saluti Paolo Rospo, ROMA, tra gli ultimi nativi del Rione 1° Monti localita' delle prime capanne della tribu' dei RAMNI di schiatta Latino Romana, sulle quote dei rilievi delle CARINAE (da simiglianza litica alle carene delle triremi) successivamente cuore ancora nascosto dell' URBE nel sistema autonomo difensivo del SEPTIMONTIUMdel 2000 a.C. antecedente all'a Eta' Regia. incredibile, anche sulla storia antica : CENSURA OIROPEA CENSURA OIROPEA CHE BARBARIE

[@steventhibert9531]

Come on this is part of history rome desimated the phalanx.

[@Andrews673]

Фаланга в 3 ряда, вы че пьяные, какой дурак делал?

[@AWMul]

Alexanders legacy is a movie and some memes

[@Seenit_73]

Wrong, just completely wrong.

[@bf3knifer]

add after add, unwatchable

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

I’m sorry about that but that’s what keeps this channel going. I appreciate it

[@johannunnsteinsson188]

i like your videos, subbed.

[@AdituLaudisMMXXI]

Awesome, thank you!