An introduction to the Macedonian phalanx

This video tries to illustrate the different versions of equipment, structure and combat spacing used by the macedonian phalanx based armies, following the descriptions of various ancient sources, including the tactic manuals written by Asclepiodotus and Polybius.
Music made with Filmstro
Voice over Christian H. Miles ( / christianhmiles )

[@edoardogervasoni328]

Syntagma produces some of the best content on this platform.

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@@mack626 I'm planning to do so

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This comment section 🤣

[@andreascattolin6439]

Amazingly done

[@andreascattolin6439]

Anyway,will be hard to marry a guy so busy doin'such a great docu.Takes lots of time and..energy.He must have no much time for distractions....😉.He does incredible content.All my respect.

[@PetelliusCerialis]

Glad to see you return. Your content is always top quality

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I know right he's badass kickass! Lol.

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Everyone go and like all his videos. He needs a serious come back

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Hearing you say Syntagma is like hearing a character in a movie name drop the movie; it’s so funny for some reason.

[@jacopomontechristo7572]

Syntagma means constitution in greek.

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It means constitution. It , literally means: means,: “many soldiers, coordinated”. Συν + ταξη/τασσωμαι

[@RichardGardee-eq9qi]

All battlez only remember effort, effect, Names???😮😎🙏✅💘🙏😇🙏💪💖

[@nezperce2767]

It means to put (things or something) straight. recount your marbles or get back to classroom

[@JawsOfHistory]

You do a really good job of illustrating just how large the sarissa spears were. A weapon of that size took a lot of practice to use. But perhaps more interestingly the more experienced and elite soldiers used shorter spears. And many have argued that the ability of being able to be in the 5th row back - and still inflict casualties on an enemy you never have to look in the eye - was a big and important factor in the success of the phalanx.

[@paulus121212]

why did you stop

[@Mr_Chode]

This is my favorite history channel. Wish he posted more.

[@Agonis100]

It is a joy to see you post! Thank you for these excellent videos! 😃👍

[@JosephusAurelius]

Welcome back! Thoroughly enjoy your videos

[@MichaelSmith-ij2ut]

This channel deserves so many more subscribers.

[@dtomcheck]

I can’t tell you how excited I was to see that you had returned with a new video! The content, information, visuals, video quality, & narration are all of the highest quality. Your videos truly are the gold standard on Youtbe. I enjoyed this one immensely and cannot wait for the next one

[@JawsOfHistory]

The graphics are really incredible. Such a vivid picture of the ancient world.

[@oskifan1]

I was very happy this came up in my feed. Welcome back. I'm fascinated by the phalanx formation and am glad there's another analysis of their use and tactics.

[@sunsettersix6993]

Easily the best and most interesting in depth look at the Macedonian phalanx I've seen yet. Excellent work! Thank you for sharing!

[@johnnyshock6411]

Currently taking a upper division course on Alexander and the Hellenistic Kingdoms and I'm constantly watching videos on youtube to give visuals to the texts I'm reading. Of everything I've watched in the last 4 months this is without a doubt the highest quality and most accurate video out there. Absolutely adore the city going on in the background and the attention to detail.

[@Syntagma]

thank you :)

[@Gelch01]

Top quality video from a fantastic channel, and looking forward to more. Keep it up!

[@diegoortiz7104]

Just finished watching this video and I just have to thank you so much this video work and 3d models informative voice that explains everything clearly without pauses and touching on one of my favorite bits of ancient military history is just incredible mark my words this channel is going to the top cant wait !! Keep up the great work man !!

[@Syntagma]

thanks man :)

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A tutorial video on pronouncing ancient greek and Latin names would be an absolute gem!

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This is the best museum I have ever watched.

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great video, you're FINALLY back!

[@giacomofratini7140]

Loved this video. I'm actually studying greek history and since I love military history i wanted to know more about macedonian phalanx. Very good explanation and analysis, i hope you'll consider also che cavalry in a next video

[@hakaen2119]

AMAZING! This deserves millions of viewers, likes and subscribers!

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Wow, that was amazing! Love to see your content again.

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Ugh, you make just the best videos. Again, great work

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Welcome BACK!!! I love these videos

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Really really enjoyed this video and the presentation that went with it. Very nice to have a representation to go with what you were talking about. Subscribed

[@Commander_Chopper]

Always happy to see you post a video ^^

[@TheGeehanlolShow]

Absolutely outstanding presentation and animations that perfectly and accurately showcase the subject matter. You're one of the best channels out there. I know the animations take a long time but they allow a level of immersion most other channels fail to achieve, especially when going over battles and formations like these.

[@alialsuri2490]

thank you for your come back

[@neutralfellow9736]

missed this channel, superb stuff

[@speggeri90]

Great to see you back Syntagma! An excellent video as per usual. Something like a video on the naval battle at Salamis in real scale I think would make an amazing video. Meaning to see all the, close to a thousand, ships from the advantage point of the Persian king.

[@Syntagma]

thanks for the kind words :) That's a good image indeed, Salamis is on our list for a video sometime in the future.

[@user-uy1rg8td1v]

@@Syntagma Great video and videos. I don't mind relevant music in the beginning to get people in the mood, but as the video goes on I do feel it's better to have the music get much quieter or not have any music, just to let the listener to better focus on the information being presented. The music was a little bit too loud. Also I'm sure you use a script and thus I suggest uploading close captioning for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Thanks for making these videos.

[@Destroyer9300]

More than a deserved subscribe! Looking forward for new content, keep it up Syntagma you'r the best!

[@mtathos_]

brilliant! sublime! so glad of the quality of such an interesting topic!! keep it up

[@stormtrooperdavis6887]

Being a historian myself and loving Macedon, I think this video was 1. Very well done and two. I ended up learning a thing or two from this and I will never look at a Macedonian phalanx the same way

[@jorgoasparuhov4131]

then surely you know that the Macedonians were not Greeks, archive.org/details/TheHistoryOfWesternPhilosophy

[@chrisnivo]

@@jorgoasparuhov4131 OH wow another Macedonians weren't Greek guy. The evidence is overwhelming Macedon was a Greek kingdom get over it. I won't bother arguing with the willfully blind, enjoy your delusion.

[@hannibalburgers477]

Why did you rate this video 1, sir?

[@ale3hs]

@@jorgoasparuhov4131 this is a narrative (not even close to a theory) of quite recent inception consisting of gaping holes that is subscribed to by mostly those that the intellectual world refers to as idiots. For example, an analogous theme of slightly less stupidity is that of the flat earth theory. Incidentally, the latter - although outrageous, has a greater degree of influence.

[@jorgoasparuhov4131]

@@ale3hs Yes It is true that there are many open holes in the false Anglo-Saxon history, which is attributed to the fictional Greek nation, which did not exist at all, and who are newcomers as Danajci - Danaos - Δαναοί [Danaoí]) from Egypt, on the Balkan or Macedonian peninsula,there already lived, indigenous Pelasgian, Venetian.. present-day Slavic populations. idiot, what flat earth, hello, here we are talking about the Holes in the false Ango-Saxon history

[@chrispy804]

Pretty please keep making stuff like this it's really cool especially showing the formation and stuff

[@bernardputersznit64]

Marvelous exposition of the men their arms and their formations and how it all worked

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Dude your videos are awesome please make more!!!

[@AleexGod]

Really good video! Never thought this would be so interesting. Well done sir.

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Excellent presentation, glad to find this channel 👌

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Wow this channel deserves more attention.

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Glad you are back in action. KnG was giving me headaches man!!

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So Glad to see your back

[@davidkubik537]

top quality content you made here, keep it up and thanks

[@malkavil]

Great work, the animations help a lot to visualize what it was a macedonian army.

[@lantinian]

Such an excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@webcelt]

Amazing how little difference there is between phalanxes and pike blocks of the late medieval/early modern era, despite the time that passed. Soldiers of each era would have found the other's drill manual very familiar.

[@Rabhadh]

That is a misconception, apart from similar weapons they organised and drilled very differently.

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar9296]

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[@webcelt]

@@Rabhadh As a reenactor who has done the later pike block drills, I can assure you that whatever the different commands, the forming of files and changes of spacing are almost exactly the same. Obviously phalanxes didn't have to integrate with muskets.

[@nobbytang]

It always amazes me that the Scottish schiltrons spear walls and it’s success at Stirling bridge and Bannockburn appears to be new tactics when used against English armies heavy in cavalry resulting in almost suicidal charges by English mounted knights only sharp spears ….obviously the English then changed ta tics and dismounted the knights making heavy infantry and then the longbow on its flanks ….

[@webcelt]

@@nobbytang A strange thing to ponder about history is we know more ancient history than medieval people did, even if they were educated. Presumably future historians will find new information that radically revises what we in the present already consider ancient. The pike block was a reinvention to solve the same problem, and the first army to fight it knew nothing about ancient phalanxes and reinvented missiles to beat it, namely longbows and then firearms.

[@_Saracen_]

Impressive video! well done, thanks for making it.

[@peervangeldrop9160]

Loving these visuals

[@bril578]

a fantastic video, well done Syntagma!

[@alexanderbarrera7496]

Much anticipated

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Glad I found this channel

[@asaphdulin1756]

Excellent video Appreciated the fact that you did a lot of research and experimented the faisability of various pike length. Well done to you!

[@Syntagma]

thanks man, glad you like it :)

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hell yeah new material ! high quality content

[@andreascattolin6439]

By far,the very best historical piece about Falanx,and much more.SIMPLY WONDERFUL.

[@grindyoutodust819]

"Phalanx"

[@andreascattolin6439]

@@grindyoutodust819 right.i know but let me tell yiu.It is from the Katin and in Italian is Falange,I used Falanx on purpose but sure,in Englus,it is as you said.. The,..we cane first..Thx ciao

[@BinkyTheGoddessDivine]

Just found this channel. Excellent quality and top research.

[@Syntagma]

thank you :)

[@ydkaachillesa9353]

Excellent quality.

[@darioachury8081]

By far, the best explanation of the Macedonian phalanx I have ever come across. The video is worthy of scholarly publication. Phillip and Alexander would be proud!

[@Syntagma]

thanks man :)

[@jrashe21]

Really fascinating and interesting video. Thank you.

[@andrewbutler6918]

love the videos. would love to see one on the hoplite phalanx

[@VLSG]

Syntagma we miss you! No better creator for ancient history! Come back when you can :)

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Top notch as always!

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Masterful content and excellent 3D renderings. Very historically accurate. Subscribed!

[@Syntagma]

thank you :)

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8:41 The Syntagma was considered the best KZbinr of the 21st century

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Great work guys 👍👍

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I realy wish you made these more often, and do a series on Scipio Africanus, Hanibal Barca or some otger great general the way you did about G.J. Cesar. You make fantastic content, its a joy to watch.

[@Syntagma]

thanks man :)

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1:17 gorgeous city! Please do more and more often videos ❤

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I Love this video like All off your Videos. Allready followed your Reference to Asklepiodotuses taktica :)

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wow, seriously amazing job. Cheers from Estonia

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Absolutely outstanding

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E' un vero piacere vedere un vostro video. L'attesa viene sempre ripagata

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Thanks for sharing , good work. 👍

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Amazing video, congratulations!

[@Syntagma]

thank you :)

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why have you stopped@@Syntagma

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I knew stayin subbed to this channel would pay off

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I'm so glad this video got to my recommendations

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Pretty nice video; it would be fantastic if you also do an introduction to Persian-style equipment to compare the two different fighting styles.

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This is a top notch quality video! Very well done and whit the animations as well! Keep this up! Also music: I love it! Can we have it whitout the narrative and voice over? :)

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Top quality history channel. They dont even show this stuff on cable TV anymore

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Enjoyed this thank you.

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Awsome presentation

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[@thegermaniccoenus2525]

4:52 I have doubts regarding the Leukaspides or White Shields being a phalanx unit simply due to the fact that Polybius (the more reliable source) doesn't mention these troops in the Battle of Sellasia rather puts foreign troops in their place like Illyrians. Plutarch doesn't mention them in the battle of Pydna which is incredibly weird since he says they were present in the battle of Sellasia unlike Polybius. Though like Polybius, in the battle of Pydna he mentions Thracians in place of the Leukaspides with "white and gleaming armour of their shields". The Royal Guard Infantry of the Argeads and the Antigonids is also a phalanx unit. The 5000-strong Peltast Guard is one example (they were also called Shield-Guards or Shieldbearers in Arrian's Alexander Anabasis, due to the fact that Pelte shield they were using is bigger: 70 to 75 cm [4:13]). However unlike the rest of the phalanx, they were considered lighter and more mobile in such that their deployment in battle is on the flanks. 6:35 Javelins were also a part of the phalanx arsenal. In Arrian's Alexander Anabasis, the phalanx regiments of Alexander during the Battle of the Hydaspes were also armed with javelins: "but now the phalanx itself of the Macedonians was advancing against the elephants, the men casting darts at the riders and also striking the beasts themselves, standing round them on all sides." ~ Arrian's Anabasis of Alexander, chapter 17, the Defeat of Porus. In Rufus Curtius' the History of Alexander, he mentions the arms of Macedonian Coragus in his duel with the Athenian Dioxippus as follows: "The Macedonian was had equipped himself with regular weapons: he held a bronze shield and a spear called a sarissa, in his left hand and a javelin in his right while he also had a sword at his side - as if he were going to fight a number of men simultaneously" Now is the used of both weapons possible? Sure however that depends on the kind of sarissa used. Like you mention before the sarissa varied in length; with the 4 metre version (roughly 12 to 13 feet) being the possible candidate of such use. 11:17 As for the Synaspismos or locked-shields, I think the formation wasn't purely defensive in nature. Plutarch says the when the phalanx-lines advanced during the Battle of Pydna, their shields were locked in combat suggesting that the formation as whole is just as offensive as it is defensive. Now is the possibility of such formation debatable? I don't think so. There was this article I saw last year that the formation can be done if the sarissas were raised in a "high-guard" position above the pelte, similarly to the way pikes are used in the 16th century. And as such, it creates a wall of pikes and shields. Link for more information: www.academia.edu/44440024/Synaspismos_and_Its_Possibility_in_the_Macedonian_Styled_Phalanx

[@bugrilyus]

wow