Which Diadochi had the best army? - Historum

**Alcibiades** · June 1st, 2012, 08:02 AM

By that,I dont mean the kingdoms (whether Antigonid,Seleucid or Ptolemaic KIngdoms were military superior)but which individual Diadochi had the single best army,starting with Battle of Ipssus (not before that) in 301 BC,until Cleopatra VII in 30s BC (not including Roman troops under her ally Marc Anthony).

This counts for all of them,no Roman troops are included.

**Salah** · June 1st, 2012, 08:06 AM

The Ptolemaic army, even before the excluded Roman influence, seemed pretty solid.

**Alcibiades** · June 1st, 2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salah

The Ptolemaic army, even before the excluded Roman influence, seemed pretty solid.

Which particular ruler do you have in mind?

**Salah** · June 1st, 2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcibiades

Which particular ruler do you have in mind?

Most likely Ptolemaeos IV Philopator, and his army at Raphia; perhaps III Euergetes as well.

**Salah** · June 1st, 2012, 08:20 AM

Did you ever see my thread on the Ptolemies, Alci? Would be interested to see your opinion

http://www.historum.com/ancient-hist...dom-egypt.html

**M.E.T.H.O.D.** · June 1st, 2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcibiades

By that,I dont mean the kingdoms (whether Antigonid,Seleucid or Ptolemaic KIngdoms were military superior)but which individual Diadochi had the single best army,starting with Battle of Ipssus (not before that) in 301 BC,until Cleopatra VII in 30s BC (not including Roman troops under her ally Marc Anthony).

This counts for all of them,no Roman troops are included.

I really like(on paper) the Seleucid army of the mid-II century BC

An average infantry force consisting of "Makedonian" phalanxs,augmented by veteran regiments like the Bronze and Silver Shields.
the Seleucids were also able to field "a la Roman" soldiers and omnipresent mercenaries coming from the Hellenistic world(the Cilicians were considered very good light infantrymen) and last but not least a good amount of soldiers from the Eastern satrapies(excellent as "ballistae fodder"

)
Then comes the Seleucid cavalry: armored Cataphracts,"Makedonians"(similar to the Hetairoi) and light mounted troops equipped with both melee and missile weapons.
Moreover, it was also possible to employ war elephants and scythed war-chariots in great numbers(but I'm not a great fan of them).

On paper the Seleucid army of that time was a very flexible and specialized force,just like the army of Charles the Bold...If you know what I mean

**Alcibiades** · June 1st, 2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.E.T.H.O.D.

On paper the Seleucid army of that time was a very flexible and specialized force,just like the army of Charles the Bold...If you know what I mean

I was waiting to see if you will fail me down and not contribute.Well done,soldier.

I think I DO know what you mean.Fox and hedgehog,eh...

**Alcibiades** · June 1st, 2012, 11:40 AM

Oh,and check out slightly related thread here:

http://www.historum.com/war-military...y-200s-bc.html

Would like to know your thoughts.

**okamido** · June 1st, 2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcibiades

By that,I dont mean the kingdoms (whether Antigonid,Seleucid or Ptolemaic KIngdoms were military superior)but which individual Diadochi had the single best army,starting with Battle of Ipssus (not before that) in 301 BC,until Cleopatra VII in 30s BC (not including Roman troops under her ally Marc Anthony).

This counts for all of them,no Roman troops are included.

Doesn't the Diadochi refer to those that were directly involved with Alexander's conquest? Are we just using it as a generic term covering all of the armies of the successor 'states' till Roman supremacy?

**Alcibiades** · June 1st, 2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okamido

Doesn't the Diadochi refer to those that were directly involved with Alexander's conquest? Are we just using it as a generic term covering all of the armies of the successor 'states' till Roman supremacy?

Yes,that is the secondary (and more general) meaning of that word,after the "first generation" thing.