Caracalla's Macedonian Phalanx
The Ancients
00:00
Dio's Excursus on Military Affairs
Dao, the most detailed critic of karacala's military plans, details a 16 thousand strong phalanx that he raised in macedon. This is an exceptional level of man power to have been raised by caracala at this time - and it seems problematic when we compare it to the original alexandrian palanx. But archaeological evidence for this appears slightly more complex as trainees are legionary rather than army men. So i think we have to accept that carcal may have wanted to arm his men in a manner that would counter the parthian's renowned use of archers, lancers and lightly armed infantry... but i have absolutely no problem with
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