Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

To view animation on PC: hit F5

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "To view animation on PC: hit F5"— Presentation transcript:

1 To view animation on PC: hit F5
Paraitakene [?], 317 BC Strategic Context As Alexander the Great lays dying in 323 BC, he is asked who should inherit his vast empire to which he reportedly answers: “the strongest.” Alexander’s chief of staff, Perdiccas, assumes the role of interim ruler as he attempts to hold the Macedonian Empire together until Alexander’s young son is old enough to rule. This arrangement quickly falls apart when many of Alexander’s former generals, now satraps (the Diadochi) rebel, including Craterus, Antipater, Ptolemy, and Antigonus. Perdiccas orders Eumenes, chancellor and also one of Alexander’s former generals, to guard Anatolia while he attacks Ptolemy in Egypt. Eumenes defeats and kills Craterus at the Battle of Hellespont in 321 BC, but Perdiccas is assassinated by Peithon, Seleucus, and Antipater. The Diadochi declare Eumenes an outlaw and send Antigonus to destroy him and the regime’s remaining power base. Eumenes retreats to Mesopotamia, hoping to draw on the resources and support of satraps in the east still loyal to the regime. To view animation on PC: hit F5 To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter Stakes + An Antigonid victory would further destabilize Eumenes’ tenuous hold on the eastern satraps of Alexander’s former empire. + A Eumenid victory would solidify his command while provoking dissent in the Diadochi alliances and territories. By Jonathan Webb, 2015

2 Paraitakene, 317 BC Strength
Antigonids Well Eumenids Well Antigonus I Eumenes 28,000 heavy infantry 17,000 heavy infantry 10,000 light infantry 18,000 light infantry 8,500 cavalry 6,300 cavalry 65 war elephants 114 war elephants By Jonathan Webb, 2015

3 Western Asia c. 318 BC

4 The battlefield consists of a gradually sloping open plain with rough hills on two sides.
Antigonids (Antigonus) Eumenids (Eumenes)

5 Heavy infantry Heavy infantry Light infantry Light infantry
With Peithon’s light cavalry engaged in close combat, Eumenes sends an elephant and light infantry force to hit them in flank, routing them to the hills. As Antigenes’ Silver Shields continue to punish their opposition, the rout of the Antigonid left wing drops the morale of the phalanx, causing it to break and retreat to the hills as well. As the Eumenid center and right pursue the defeated Antigonid center and left, a significant gap opens up between the Eumend left and center. Antigonus seizes this opportunity and leads his right wing cavalry through the gap to hit the Eumenid left wing’s right flank, suddenly and completely routing it. Eumenes immediately recalls his pursuing right wing cavalry. Antigonus rallies his routing center and left on the relatively safety of the hills, where he retreats with his own cavalry. Eumenes also reorganizes his forces for the upcoming battle, but decides against an uphill assault. Both sides retire to camp around midnight. Eumenes deploys his allied cavalry on the left under Eudamos, heavy infantry phalanx at the center with the elite Silver Shields under Antigenes and veteran hypasists to the right, and elite Companion cavalry on the right under his command. He deploys his more numerous elephants and light infantry in front of his entire line, including in an arc to protect his left flank. Eumenes likely plans to use his powerful right wing to defeat the Antigonid left and roll up the rest of the phalanx. Eumenes orders his cavalry to attack Peithon’s light cavalry but the quicker Antigonid light cavalry fire their missiles, withdraw, and wheel to fire them again. Peithon’s harassing attacks disrupt the Eumenid right wing as the elephants begin to wander. Meanwhile, the two phalanxes engage with the Eumenid phalanx gaining the advantage due to the Silver Shields’ fighting prowess. As Peithon’s light cavalry continue to disrupt the Eumenid right wing with hit-and-run tactics, Eumenes orders Eudamos to send his fastest cavalry to assist his right wing. Just as Peithon’s light cavalry wheel again to fire their missiles, they are surprised by the Eumenid light cavalry suddenly appearing to their immediate front. Meanwhile, the best troops on each side’s right wing pushes back their opposition. Antigonus deploys his army in oblique formation, angled to refuse his left. He deploys light cavalry under Peithon on his left, heavy infantry phalanx in the center with his veteran Macedonian phalanx to the right, and heavy cavalry on the right under his command. Antigonus deploys elephants and light infantry in front of his center and in an arc to protect his right flank. Antigonus plans to advance obliquely, refusing his left wing from battle, then smash the weakest part of the Eumenid line with his own heavy cavalry while his phalanx defeats the Eumenid phalanx. Antigonus halts his army in order to discuss with his staff which part of the Eumenid line is weakest and most vulnerable to a cavalry attack. Peithon mistakenly thinks the right wing’s attack has stalled, and decides to seize the initiative and advance to assist the right wing. Peithon leads his light cavalry directly at the Eumenid right wing, launches a volley of missiles and veers off to the left to overlap the Eumenid line. Peithon’s unexpected advance drags the entire infantry phalanx forward as each contingent advances to protect its adjacent unit’s flank. Antigonids (Antigonus) Peithon Antigonus Antigonids Eumenids Heavy infantry Heavy infantry Light infantry Light infantry Cavalry Cavalry Light cavalry Light cavalry War elephants War elephants Antigonids (Antigonus) 28,000 heavy infantry 10,000 light infantry 8,500 cavalry 65 war elephants Eumenids (Eumenes) 17,000 heavy infantry 18,000 light infantry 6,300 cavalry 114 war elephants Eumenes Antigenes Eudamos Symbol guide Eumenids (Eumenes)

6 Paraitakene, 317 BC Casualties & Aftermath
Antigonids: Eumenids: 7,700 or 17% 1,540 or 4% Both sides went into winter quarters after this battle, waiting until the following year for the decisive Battle of Gabiene, in which Eumenes was defeated and killed by the treachery of his own men. The Diadochi then agreed to rule their respective domains until Alexander’s son came of age. Antigonus’ victory in 316 BC left him as the most powerful Diadochi in control of much of the former Macedonian Empire’s troops and resources, leading the other Diadochi to form an alliance against him. In 310 BC, Alexander’s son and remaining wife are assassinated, leading to a fierce struggle for control among the Diadochi. In 301 BC, Seleucus and Lysimachos defeated Antigonus and Demetrius at the Battle of Ipsus but even this massive battle decided very little. The last clash among the Diadochi occured in 283 BC between Seleucus and Lysimachos, which left Seleucus ruler of Alexander’s empire for a brief three years before he too was killed. By Jonathan Webb, 2015

7 The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2015


Download ppt "To view animation on PC: hit F5"

Similar presentations


Ads by Google