Leukaspides
Encyclopedia
The Leukaspides made up one of the two probable corps of the Antigonid Macedonian phalanx
in the Hellenistic period
, with the Chalkaspides
("Bronze Shields") forming the other.
The Leukaspides were notably used by Antigonus Doson in his campaign against Cleomenes III
of Sparta
in the 220's BC (Plutarch, Cleom. 23.11), and the shields of the Leukaspides are mentioned as spoils of war after the battle of Pydna
in 168 BC (Diodorus Siculus, 31.10).
Macedonian phalanx
The Macedonian phalanx is an infantry formation developed by Philip II and used by his son Alexander the Great to conquer the Persian Empire and other armies...
in the Hellenistic period
Hellenistic period
The Hellenistic period or Hellenistic era describes the time which followed the conquests of Alexander the Great. It was so named by the historian J. G. Droysen. During this time, Greek cultural influence and power was at its zenith in Europe and Asia...
, with the Chalkaspides
Chalkaspides
The Chalkaspides , made up one of the two probable corps of the Antigonid Macedonian phalanx in the Hellenistic period, with the Leukaspides forming the other....
("Bronze Shields") forming the other.
The Leukaspides were notably used by Antigonus Doson in his campaign against Cleomenes III
Cleomenes III
Cleomenes III was the King of Sparta from 235-222 BC. He succeeded to the Agiad throne of Sparta after his father, Leonidas II in 235 BC.From 229 BC to 222 BC, Cleomenes waged war against the Achaean League under Aratus of Sicyon. Domestically, he is known for his attempt to reform the Spartan state...
of Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
in the 220's BC (Plutarch, Cleom. 23.11), and the shields of the Leukaspides are mentioned as spoils of war after the battle of Pydna
Battle of Pydna
The Battle of Pydna in 168 BC between Rome and the Macedonian Antigonid dynasty saw the further ascendancy of Rome in the Hellenic/Hellenistic world and the end of the Antigonid line of kings, whose power traced back to Alexander the Great.Paul K...
in 168 BC (Diodorus Siculus, 31.10).
Sources
- Head, Duncan (1982). Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars. WRG.
- Bar-Kochva, Bezalel (1976). "The Seleucid Army: Ogranization and Tactics in the Great Campaigns". Cambridge University Press