Legion versus Phalanx: The Epic Struggle for Infantry Supremacy in the Ancient World

The Roman legion emerged as the dominant force in infantry battle, challenging the Hellenistic phalanx from Ancient Sumeria to 168 BC. Myke Cole's book explores the tactics, arms, and equipment of both armies, and six key battles where the legion fought the phalanx.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

From the dawn of Ancient Sumeria, the formidable heavy infantry phalanx reigned supreme on the battlefield, armed with spears or pikes and standing shoulder to shoulder with shields interlocking, forming an impenetrable wall of wood and metal against the enemy. However, the arrival of the Roman legion marked a significant challenge to the dominance of the phalanx as masters of infantry warfare. Spanning the period of their clash (280–168 BC), Myke Cole delves into the tactics, arms, and equipment of both the legion and the phalanx. Drawing upon original primary sources, he examines six pivotal battles in which the legion engaged the phalanx: Heraclea (280 BC), Asculum (279 BC), Beneventum (275 BC), Cynoscephalae (197 BC), Magnesia (190 BC), and Pydna (168 BC). Through meticulous analysis, Cole reveals how and why the Roman legion, renowned for its flexible organization, versatile tactics, and iron discipline, surpassed the hitherto invincible Hellenistic phalanx and emerged as the dominant force on the ancient battlefield.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472828422