Latest / The History of Greece: Philosophy, Empire, and Endless Reinvention — Fexingo History
The Alea Tacticus: How Rome Broke the Macedonian Phalanx at Pydna
In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the legendary Battle of Pydna in 168 BCE, where the Roman legion's manipular flexibility shattered the seemingly invincible Macedonian phalanx. They explore the tactical innovation known as the Alea Tacticus—the deliberate creation of gaps in the phalanx to exploit its rigid formation. The conversation covers the roles of Lucius Aemilius Paullus and King Perseus, the terrain of the battlefield, and the fatal flaw of the sarissa when faced with uneven ground. They also touch on Polybius's accounts and the broader implications for the…
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