Ekdromoi
Encyclopedia
The Ekdromos was an ancient Greek
light hoplite
. The name means 'out-runners', and denotes their ability to exit the phalanx
and fight in an irregular order, as the situation might demand. The Ekdromoi were mostly lightly armoured (with aspis
and bronze helmet), fast infantry and were armed with spear and short sword. The term will actually describe any hoplite who practices the tactic of Ekdromi, that is the irregular exit from the battleline.
When within the phalanx, they functioned as ordinary hoplites but upon order, they would exit their ranks and attack the enemy in loose irregular order. Tactical necessities that would ordain such a use would include constant harassment from enemy skirmishers, clearing the path from enemy presence for the army to pass in safety, the fast capture of key points within or around the battlefield, the pursue of a broken enemy etc. Their lightness did not guarantee contact with a skirmishing enemy, but they effectively would push the enemy and clear the way. Psiloi
and peltasts would never allow themselves to fight in melee with the Ekdromoi, since the latter were, even without the armor, much better equipped for close combat, but poorly armed barbarian infantry often made that mistake.
Xenophon
made use of Ekdromoi during the march of the Ten Thousand
against the numerous barbarian warriors disrupting the Greek columns, as is multiple times attested in his work, The Anabasis
.
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
light hoplite
Hoplite
A hoplite was a citizen-soldier of the Ancient Greek city-states. Hoplites were primarily armed as spearmen and fought in a phalanx formation. The word "hoplite" derives from "hoplon" , the type of the shield used by the soldiers, although, as a word, "hopla" could also denote weapons held or even...
. The name means 'out-runners', and denotes their ability to exit the phalanx
Phalanx formation
The phalanx is a rectangular mass military formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, sarissas, or similar weapons...
and fight in an irregular order, as the situation might demand. The Ekdromoi were mostly lightly armoured (with aspis
Aspis
"Aspis" is the generic term for the word shield. The aspis, which is carried by Greek infantry of various periods, is often referred to as a hoplon .According to Diodorus Siculus:-Construction:...
and bronze helmet), fast infantry and were armed with spear and short sword. The term will actually describe any hoplite who practices the tactic of Ekdromi, that is the irregular exit from the battleline.
When within the phalanx, they functioned as ordinary hoplites but upon order, they would exit their ranks and attack the enemy in loose irregular order. Tactical necessities that would ordain such a use would include constant harassment from enemy skirmishers, clearing the path from enemy presence for the army to pass in safety, the fast capture of key points within or around the battlefield, the pursue of a broken enemy etc. Their lightness did not guarantee contact with a skirmishing enemy, but they effectively would push the enemy and clear the way. Psiloi
Psiloi
In Ancient Greek warfare, psiloi were extremely light infantry who acted as skirmishers and missile troops....
and peltasts would never allow themselves to fight in melee with the Ekdromoi, since the latter were, even without the armor, much better equipped for close combat, but poorly armed barbarian infantry often made that mistake.
Xenophon
Xenophon
Xenophon , son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, also known as Xenophon of Athens, was a Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, philosopher and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates...
made use of Ekdromoi during the march of the Ten Thousand
Ten Thousand (Greek)
The Ten Thousand were a group of mercenary units, mainly Greek, drawn up by Cyrus the Younger to attempt to wrest the throne of the Persian Empire from his brother, Artaxerxes II...
against the numerous barbarian warriors disrupting the Greek columns, as is multiple times attested in his work, The Anabasis
Anabasis (Xenophon)
Anabasis is the most famous work, in seven books, of the Greek professional soldier and writer Xenophon. The journey it narrates is his best known accomplishment and "one of the great adventures in human history," as Will Durant expressed the common assessment.- The account :Xenophon accompanied...
.