Battle of Sellasia: Encyclopedia II - Battle of Sellasia - Forces in presence

Battle of Sellasia - Forces in presence

Cleomenes had 30,000 infantrymen composing of hoplites, perioikoi and about 650 cavalries. The Spartan phalanx, under the command of Cleomenes was arranged on a hill named Olympus near Sellasia and were supported by a body of light infantry mercenaries. The allied troops of Sparta and the perioikoi phalanx were occupied by the commander Eucleidas on the other hill, Evas at the left wing. The centre were made up of Spartan cavalries, supported by other light infantrymen. Cleomenes probably hoped for a higher tactical position that would compensate numerical inferiorities: it had dug a ditch and raised the palisade and all aling the front lines.

Antigonus on his side, could count up to a superior force, with the total of around 30,000 men. It was about the Macedonian phalanges: for the first time since the beginning of the 3rd century BC, the Macedonians aligned with this countryside against the national army of Sparta and without their infantry. It was the only to represent 20,000 men. The allies had provided him consequent contingencies, notably the cavalry: 1,000 Achaeans as much as Megalopolitans.

Antigonus placed the Macedonian phalanges facing at the Spartan Phalanges at Olympus hill in order to tighten on 32 rows. It laid out a screen of light infantry in front of the phalanges. Its own cavalry, a mixture of Macedonians, Achaeans (whose Philoppemenes), the Boeotians and its mercernaries under the commander of Alexander was placed forward at the Spartan calvary in the center. The Macedonian right wing on Evas hill whose slopes were strong, not formed in phalange, but with more flexibility to facilitate the progression on the difficult ground. It was there that also the Illyrien allies of Antigonus and their head Demetrius of Pharos had a commandment of all of his right wing.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Forces in presence", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki