Companion cavalry

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Companions (Greek Εταίροι) were Alexander the Great's elite cavalry, the main offensive arm of his army, and also his elite guard. They would be used as the hammer, in conjunction with his Macedonian phalanx based infantry, which acted as the anvil. The phalanx would "fix" (pin) the enemy in place, and the Companion cavalry would attack the enemy on the flank or from behind. It should be noted that Alexander employed other cavalry forces, which he normally deployed on his left. The companions were a heavier, better armed unit, made up mainly of noblemen.

Normally, Alexander would lead the charge with his cavalry, usually in a wedge formation. In a pitched battle, the Companions usually fought on the right wing of the Macedonian army, next to the shield bearing guard, and he normally positioned the phalanx in the center. The various cavalry troops would also protect the flanks of the Macedonian line during a battle. As heavy cavalry, the Companions were Alexander the Great's decisive arm in battle.

The Companions were organized into territorial squadrons, made of 200 to 300 soldiers. In Alexander's campaign into Persia, there were eight squadrons, commanded by Philotas, with one being the royal squadron. Philip II of Macedon enlarged the size of the unit to around 2000 soldiers, as opposed to the 600 used as a mounted bodyguard for the king in battle.

The Companions would ride the best horses, and receive the best weaponry available. In Alexander's day, each carried a xyston (a long thrusting spear), and wore both a cuirass and helmet. A kopis (curved slashing sword) was also carried for melee combat.

[edit] Under the successors of Alexander

The Companion cavalry of the Diadochi, the collective name for the various rival successors to Alexander, were all more heavily equipped. Seleucid Companions were noted to have worn lighter, but not otherwise dissimilar, equipment to the cataphracts at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC, which may have included partial horse armour and leg and arm protection. Seleucid, Antigonid, and perhaps Ptolemaic Companions were also equipped with a large round cavalry shield unlike the Companions of Phillip and Alexander.