We delve into the history of the Roman Cataphracts: kzread.info/dash/bejne/gISY2qmwqcnfj7Q.html

@imperialjapan745

Жыл бұрын

P700

@manfromukraine4678

Жыл бұрын

Hey, I'm just an ukrainian guy and I understand that our demands are too high for other countries which already have their own problems to deal with. So feel free to stop giving us so many precious resources as they are being wasted by us without achieving much. Thank you and Slave Ukraine! 🇺🇦

As greek person its always funny hearing using the greek word as a unique "term" for generic equipment. Like Dori literally means spear in greek. So in my ears i hear: They carried a spear called "the spear" and a sword called "the sword".

@user-ln8eh5nq3q

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha indeed

@pmparda

2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣

@georgeemirzas7776

2 жыл бұрын

Hahahah...so right...

@reneernesto5748

2 жыл бұрын

🤣

@cletusdalglish-schommer1573

2 жыл бұрын

Greek is used a lot in English to make things sound special, technical or scientific. I remember when I learned that "encephalograph" literally meant "in-head-picture" and just imagine doctors trying to sound sophisticated in front of patients saying, "what do you think doctor, do we need an in-head-picture?"

Remember one of those Kings and Generals videos where in one battle the Silver Shields just solo carried an entire battle when all other sections failed. I was so impressed by them. I am glad you made a video about them

@prs_81

2 жыл бұрын

@Rosario Manorang Manik It's in the Diadochi series.

@haywoodjablomi9393

2 жыл бұрын

Tristan Hughes, who narrated that series has his own channel "Battles of the Ancients". He also has a podcast that I can't recommend enough.

@captainsternn7684

2 жыл бұрын

Link plz

@t2av159

2 жыл бұрын

Highly unlikely

@zones0

2 жыл бұрын

@@captainsternn7684 Here you go, I think it's this one: Title: Diadochi Wars: Battles of Paraitakene and Gabiene 317-316 BC kzread.info/dash/bejne/poCTp7arl6mYk6w.html

I've only met a handful of bad ass 60-70 year olds. Usually in the course of my job. One dude was 72 and could have easily whipped my ass at 23. Thinking of a few thousand guys like that with decades of battle experience is insane. Can't imagine what it would have been like having to battle these dudes.

@elasolezito

2 жыл бұрын

Check out Napoleon's veteran officers real life photos. You can see the hardship in the old man's face.

@johnstajduhar9617

2 жыл бұрын

Phalanx warfare especially suited longtime, older veterans too. Fighting against another wall of pikes was more a contest of willpower, morale and cohesion than pure strength and vitality. It's amazing to hear that by the time of the Diadochi wars, they basically trounced any infantry unit they squared up against.

@ikediz

2 жыл бұрын

@@elasolezito will do.

@BoogieBubble

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnstajduhar9617 I am not sure that you are 100% correct my friend. I mean they carried heavy equipment , marched , fought for hours each time. No matter the age you have to be fit to do all that. Extremely fit i would dare to say. My sorry ass cannot walk a few kilometers with all that equipement , let alone fight.

@ringo1692

2 жыл бұрын

Can't mess with old dudes...😜👍

Whats interesting is that the better trained troops get shorter weapons, because they can actually handle themselves in melee, if you're less trained you get a reasonably safe sarissa

@BOSIE321

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah the Sarissa Phalanx was great and all as a fixing force but it seems Alexander used the Silver Shields and the Agrianian light armored troops to deal the real infantry damage, especially in his Indian campaigns and in siege missions. I've even read an account that says Alexander altered his army for the Indian campaign and rearmed the sarissa phalanx with shorter spears due to the terrain. You don't really hear much of these elite units with later Macedonian armies.

@andrewreil3938

2 жыл бұрын

18ft poke vs 6 ft poke

@alexanderyu85

2 жыл бұрын

Tight formation also helping trooper not to escape, which were found by japanese and the west

@CrucisJon

2 жыл бұрын

@@BOSIE321 Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he made his troops' pikes Longer to deal with the elephants? Shortet spears is a lot more dangerous when fighting elephants

@X.Y.Z.07

2 жыл бұрын

@@CrucisJon no, Sarissa was made longer mainly to deal with Hopelite Phalanx formation, which was the common norm in the Greek World back then..

The drawings are sooo fucking cool! I feel like a child again watching a cool cartoon.

@InvictaHistory

2 жыл бұрын

We make them available for download on Patreon

@Diogolindir

2 жыл бұрын

that Silvershield formation with the arid background looks amazing!

@comradekenobi6908

2 жыл бұрын

@@Diogolindir shields gleaming in the sunlight

@Moronvideos1940

2 жыл бұрын

Swear words are inappropriate in a public venue .....

@sadvenom7826

2 жыл бұрын

@@Moronvideos1940 what swear word did i use?

Stellar vid! Mercenaries were mentioned briefly, and I realized that such groups are used all across history, by nations great and small alike. I’d love to see a Units of History on ancient mercenary groups, from anywhere-how/when they come to be; examples where they’ve been crucial to victory or defeat; how they could operate as a third party in some other sovereignty’s campaigns. Did they work like the free companies in A Song of Ice and Fire? Or were there just divisions of armies that were more autonomous than those loyal to their sovereign leader?

@moisesflores5405

2 жыл бұрын

For the classical era Jeffrey Rop Greek military service in the ancient Near East, 401-330 BCE is an excellent book on Greek mercenary service in the East.

@cloudjumper8868

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, so many famous mercenary "bands". From ancient greek through roman period, medieval, renaisance and more "civilised" ages. Numidians, cretan archers, thracian and illiriyan infrantry, carthaginians and their mercs armies, italian states in medieval with mercenary ranks, landsknechts, swiss pikes... I doubt one video would be enough and I only hope that these units will be covered in this Units of history series. I would like to see a video about bucaneers aka "state registered pirates so not really pirates". I think there were many famous ones with achievements in battle, explorations, topography and so on. Sir Francis Drake is a prime example for interesting character to cover.

@fatherofhistory

2 жыл бұрын

Because in the long run, it was cheaper to simply hire a standing *_group of soldiers_* who were already trained and (usually) equipped for the duration of a campaign than have to raise your own *army* out of your populace, *train*, and then equip them….which places a huge drain on your economy and potential economic output with men being diverted to being ***_soldiers_* instead of *workers*.

@ryandaverayla4910

2 жыл бұрын

Invicta covered the Numidian Cavalry and Balearic Slingers. These were mercenary groups that fought to pay

@nagamata

2 жыл бұрын

@@ryandaverayla4910 yeah TBH after I commented, I had that dumb realization, and definitely have watched all those already. In fact, the Balearic Slingers video is one of my favorites, it was one of the first I saw when I got into the channel. I guess the Kylo Ren inside me just needs more history. MORE. MOOORE.

Imagine a silver shield series done Sharpe protagonist and masterful acting style with Rome series plot and historical authenticity style and alatriste movie style of ancient battles and fighting authenticity as well as excellent historical costumes and every frame looking like a painting. Editing:if I may ad the silver shields relationship needs to offer band of brothers vibe.

@xSoulhunterDKx

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like fun

@QuantumHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Even better, do the whole of the Wars of the Diadochi in a HBO "Rome" / "GoT" style. Each one of the successors is essentially a great house. Lots of strong women and potential for an ethnic cast - just what hollywood likes these days. The history itself lends itself to being cut up in seasons: the pilot is Alexander's death and the conference of his generals, then end Season 1 with Perdiccas' death, Season 2 with Eumenes', Season 3 with Antigonas', etc...

@narxes

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful idea, but I sincerely doubt anything like that will be made. Hope I'm wrong.

@ktheterkuceder6825

2 жыл бұрын

@@QuantumHistorian Come to think of it Alexander was indeed a Robert Baratheon. Too bad he had no friend like Ned though.

@ktheterkuceder6825

2 жыл бұрын

@@QuantumHistorian Got and Rome were good as far as acting and authenticity in manners,intrigues,politics and mentality goes. But in terms of masterful acting and historical authenticity the first goes to Sharpe and the second to Alatriste. Rome and Got battles and realistic fighting were awful.

A quick correction- the sword shown at 7:46 is a kopis, not a xiphos; the xiphos is the leaf shaped blade with two cutting edges.

Imagine if one of the actual Silver Shields were discovered in a tomb in the East somewhere, what an amazing piece of military history it would be.

7:42 The sword depicted here is a Kopis, not a Xiphos. A Xiphos was a double-edged sword usually with a leaf shaped blade

@Skycube100

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I was wondering about that a bit 😅

@AnarchAngel1

2 жыл бұрын

I believe I've heard Kopis translates to something like "I cut" in Greek...it's Greek to me though 😅

@Caedmon_Kael

2 жыл бұрын

I was also about to comment about that

@garymelchisky2880

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking about saying that, but you beat me to it by quite a bit, as did a few others

@tituslaronius

2 жыл бұрын

I was just about to comment on that

The Prince is such an underrated book. I have read it twice and have been aching to read it again. I consider it an essential piece of human history, still relevant to this day, that all could learn from. Niccolò Machiavelli doesn't simply teach you to become a cold and calculating statesmen but how to recognize the consequencial patterns of a rising dictatorship. It is a must read for anyone interested in history and political philosophy.

@alswann2702

2 жыл бұрын

It was required reading when I was in high school.

@MrLoobu

2 жыл бұрын

Its not under rated at all, every first year uni student gets turned onto it lol.

@luelee6168

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrLoobu Ah yes, the idiots who deliberately gets themselves into debt to earn a degree they likely won't use and than instantly manipulated by the very politics they pretended to read.

@JamesJJSMilton

2 жыл бұрын

The Prince is great, but Ive always felt the Discourses were much more insightful, both towards Machiavelli, but also towards the governance of a good republic.

@FinnishDragon

2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesJJSMilton I agree. I strongly feel that the Discourses are very much more underrated than the Prince.

I want to point out that Antigenes was one of the most loyal officers Eumenes had. (It was another commander of Silver Shields, Teutamus, that betrayed Eumenes) Even as early as 318 BC (when Silver Shields barely joined Eumenes) Teutamus' loyalty was wavering as they were receiving offers of bribes and threats from Antigonus and Ptolemy, who were urging them to forsake Eumenes. But Antigenes consistently refused these offers, and even managed to persuade other high officers of the Silver Shields to remain with Eumenes. Then as Eumenes was marching towards East to seek allies there, Seleucus and Peithon were entreating Silver Shields to abandon Eumenes, and even secretly met with the high ranking officers: Antigenes and Teutamus among them. But once again Antigenes stood firmly with Eumenes, and refused these entreaties. Later when Eumenes linked up with the army of the Upper Satrapies, Peucestas sought to command the joined army, but with Antigenes help it was eventually Eumenes that claimed the command of the whole force. Finally in the aftermath of the battle at Gabiene, Teutamus, seemingly going behind Antigenes' back, captured Eumenes and delivered him to Antigonus. It is because of his unwavering loyalty to Eumenes and because he previously defied Antigonus by rejecting his appeals to forsake Eumenes: that Antigenes meets such a harsh end, being burned alive.

@user-tf7wl4iv5t

2 жыл бұрын

I disagree. Antigenes was disloyal to everyone he served under. He killed Perdicas and he was behind the mutiny at Triparadisus. He wasn't loyal to Eumenes either - he didn't want to cooperate on many ocasions, and before the battle of Gabiene, he and Teutamas plotted to kill him. Plutarch, Life of Eumenes, 16 1 But meanwhile most of the forces with Eumenes had assembled, and, admiring his sagacity, demanded that he should be sole commander. At this, Antigenes and Teutamus, the leaders of the Silver-shields, were filled with vexation and jealousy, so that they plotted against the life of Eumenes, and, assembling most of the satraps and generals, deliberated when and how they might put him out of the way. 2 They were unanimous in the decision to make every use of him in the ensuing battle, and after the battle to kill him at once. But Eudamus, the master of the elephants, and Phaedimus, secretly brought word to Eumenes of this decision; not that they were moved by any goodwill or kindness, but because they were anxious not to lose the money they had lent him.​3 These men Eumenes commended, and then went off to his tent, where he said to his friends that he was living in a great herd of wild beasts. Antigonus had a reputation of mercy, which makes the cruel killing of Antigenes that more horrifying. Peucestas, a traitor, was spared, Eudamus was executed (presumably in a traditional way) and Atigenes was so trecherous and hated by Antigonus that he was burned alive in a pit. If you are interested, I suggest reading Eumenes of Cardia: A Greek Among Macedonians by Edward M. Anson.

@deuratusanimatedhistory10

2 жыл бұрын

@@user-tf7wl4iv5t I have it, but Anson is not even entirely convinced about Antigenes being on the plot, despite what Plutarch says. Eward Anson says about “likelihood”. “It was decided that after defeating Antigonus they would eliminate Eumenes (Plut. Eum. 16. 1-3, 6). Even though this plot is not mentioned by Diodorus, and Antigenes, listed as one of the main conspirators by Plutarch (Eum. 16. 1), was previously in the main loyal to Eumenes (Diod. 18. 62. 6; 19. 12. 2, 17. 4, 21. 1), the plot appears to be genuine. [...] There clearly was a plot and the *likelihood* is that Antigenes was one of the participants. ” on page 198 Yeah, Antigenes pursued his own interests, he is attested as one of Perdiccas murderers: thus he betrayed Perdiccas (Perdiccas’ situation I think is comparable to when Eumenes lost the baggage train, Antigenes did not betray Eumenes then). He was also one of the perpetrators of the mutiny at Triparadeisus, but I wouldn't call it a betrayal (that he betrayed Peithon and Arrhidaeus is too much to say). Antigenes seems to have more to gain while Eumenes was alive. Even if Antigenes loyalty was based on his self interest, where else was he disloyal towards Eumenes?

@deuratusanimatedhistory10

2 жыл бұрын

@@user-tf7wl4iv5t You say that "Antigenes was disloyal to everyone he served under" but really by "everyone" you just mean Perdiccas. You know, in the same way Plutarch probably exaggerates in saying that most of the officers plotted against Eumenes. Given the previous loyalty of Antigenes to Eumenes, it's not entirely convincing that Antigenes was indeed on the plot to betray Eumenes. Even if Plutarch mentioned him there. It is possible that Plutarch mentions Antigenes name simply because he was one of the commanders of Silver Shields. Antigenes remaining loyal after the battle is inconsistent with Plutarch saying that Antigenes was one of those who plotted to betray Eumenes before the battle.

@user-tf7wl4iv5t

2 жыл бұрын

@@deuratusanimatedhistory10 I appreciate your quick response. I am not a native English speaker, and I must admit that my language is a bit rusty, but I believe that Anson stated that Antigenes' involvement is likely in that quote, but I could have misunderstood that. I think there are some real reasons for Antigenes to believe that eliminating Eumenes is in his best interest. Eumenes was geting stronger with each victory - a good example is how he dealt with Peucestas' support after the victory at Coprates. If he defeated Antigonus at Gabiene, he wouldn't have to rely on his semi-independent subordinates and satraps as much. The threat of Antigonus, that forced him to cooperate with them, would vanish, and he would gain prestige that would put him above the other generals and satraps in the eyes of the army. Antigenes might have feared that Eumenes would clear house (as Antigonus did after Gabiene) and eliminate all the men he didn't trust or those powerful enough to question his authority. I have to note that this idea isn't totaly mine, but I can't remember where I have read it. I can't think of another example of Antigenes' trecherous behavior on top of my head, but Eumenes did have to make the Alexander's ghost scheme to force him to cooperate. I would find more examples, but as I write this, it is 1 am and I have to take an important university exam in the morning. If you have some other counterpoint, please respond. Deuratus, it is pleasure discussing these topics with you, I am a long time subscriber of yours.

@neochosen8840

2 жыл бұрын

This is the fastest and best handled talk in the comments section I’ve ever seen.

Imagine their shields beaming in the sun reflecting blinding sun rays at their enemies. Cool af

@omarbradley6807

2 жыл бұрын

Fun fact: Some Silver Shield defected to Seleucus once he marched towards Babylon, and then fought alongside him against Antigonus forces. The Silver Shield legacy was thus keep alive under the Seleucid army. And when Antiochus III, invaded Syria in his second attempt during the fifth Syrian War, (this time sucesful) He did indeed made his silver shields to reflect the sun on the Ptolemaic enemies, during the ensuing battle of Panium, (altought this had minor effects, and the battle was won in a similar way than the Egyptians when they previously defeated him at Raphia, nevertheless, he avenged it and anexed all of Ptolemaic Asia.)

Their actions at Gabiene were truly short-sighted. As Eumenes told them, the enemy was basically beaten, so they should be able to defeat them totally the next day and regain their baggage train (Antigonos' forces certainly weren't going to escape with it in their possession if they retreated, as it would have slowed them down too much). But the most of the other satraps hated Eumenes for being a non-Macedonian Greek and having started out as a mere secretary, and were already on the verge of betrayal anyway; and thus they persuaded the Silver Shields to turn on Eumenes when victory was in their grasp.

@Cross-xm2fr

2 жыл бұрын

Wife and kids could be killed, even if gold can be recovered

@RexGalilae

2 жыл бұрын

If I was Antigonos, I'd have threatened to kill the hostages if I saw any aggression from the silver shields. The camp was a massive flaw in the Macedonian military. Always an Achilles's heel. Capturing the enemy camp was a sure victory regardless the cost. The Romans would later exploit this and improve on this vulnerability

@Rekovnii

2 жыл бұрын

@@RexGalilae they made marius mules for a reason

@fatherofhistory

2 жыл бұрын

Although the *Greeks* and *Macedonians* _fought_ together in the army of *Alexander* _the_ *Great* they have always had many problems and conflicts between both the soldiers and the highest military leaders. It was only the presence of the *_figure_* of Alexander the Great that he managed to keep together but with his death, these conflicts were rekindled.

@fatherofhistory

2 жыл бұрын

@@RexGalilae The thing the Romans did better than the fight was that they learned from the mistakes of their opponents so they were even more successful.

Fun fact: Some Silver Shield defected to Seleucus once he marched towards Babylon, and then fought alongside him against Antigonus forces. The Silver Shield legacy was thus keep alive under the Seleucid army.

@Ihavpickle

11 ай бұрын

Boring fact but okay

@rorschach1985ify

3 ай бұрын

Nothing boring about history on a history video, jackass.

@shawnsweet5557

14 күн бұрын

​@@Ihavpickle you got a better one? "Pickle tickler"......

@Ihavpickle

14 күн бұрын

@@shawnsweet5557 Why's bro so pressed lmfao

Thanks to everyone for helping to suggest and vote for this episode! What units do you want to see covered next?

@pelleas2681

2 жыл бұрын

the cossacks

@tsarzamancorpdna

2 жыл бұрын

Turkish jannisaries or mongol keshigs?

@danielhall6578

2 жыл бұрын

@@pelleas2681 I second the Cossacks

@RodolfoGaming

2 жыл бұрын

Nubian Archers please

@explosivereactionstv7414

2 жыл бұрын

Mameluke soldiers, janissaries, Qizilbash, and Ghilmans

Silver shields be like: "I try to retire but they keep bringing me back in"

@unifiedhorizons2663

2 жыл бұрын

USA recruitment: so wanna go back in we’re pay you a 3000 USD non taxable bonus if you do!

@fl3669

2 жыл бұрын

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in

@lukedukejohnson3678

2 жыл бұрын

Had they been twinned with composite bow armed calvary of mongol quality to engage the flank and rear of who they engaged imagine the unstoppable nature of the silver shields

@szarekhthesilent2047

2 жыл бұрын

@@lukedukejohnson3678 So. East Roman army basically.

Spartiates: we are the best. Sacred bands: no we are the best. Silver shields: allow us to introduce ourselves.

@r.g.o3879

2 жыл бұрын

What is amazing is not how good the one unit or another was but that there were so many good units that over 2000 years later they are still remembered. Add in the roman preatorians and the earlier Persian immortals and you realize what a great era for military art existed.

@xSoulhunterDKx

2 жыл бұрын

13th Legion!

@nielsw7892

2 жыл бұрын

@@r.g.o3879 praetorian Gaurds were weaker then Legions

@ktheterkuceder6825

2 жыл бұрын

@@nielsw7892 And backstabbing corrupt bastards as well.

@jarosawkaczynski3414

2 жыл бұрын

them winged hussars arrived. Gamę over:)

What a fantastic episode, this channel blows me away. Hats off to everyone who contributed to this, the quality is insane!

I remember years ago when I was waiting around and decided to look up "Roman Legionaries" on KZread. I feel like I jumped just at the right time, to see you and all the rest cover such vast arrays of people and places, with so many different lenses of perspectives.

Seeing the growth of this channel has been absolutely wonderful. So many ways you have improved, it would be a far too long if a comment to list them all. Such a passion behind it all, I am thankful for all the content everyone involved creates!

They lived long enough to see themselves become the villain.

@RodolfoGaming

2 жыл бұрын

True and then Antigonus dispatched them

@omarbradley6807

2 жыл бұрын

@@RodolfoGaming Yes, but they those at the garrisons, deserted from Nikanor (Antigonid Satrap) and joined Seleucus in his war against Angtigonus.

This gave me goosebumps! The wars of the Diodochi are one my favorite time periods. Thank you for this insightful video! I learned a lot I didn’t know about the silver shields.

This coverage was absolute brilliant.. So in depth.. You don't find this level of detail often.. Thank you!!

Phenomenal video. Absolutely love the content focused on the Successor Kingsoms and the Diadochi. Thank you Invicta!

An excellent video Invicta! Your ethics of explaining history by telling us the different scholar theories are something to be admired.

Man whoever creates the art is a magician, its so beautiful 🥰

seeing Invicta with an MCDM shirt just made me an even bigger fan of him lol

@InvictaHistory

2 жыл бұрын

I owe Matt a lot for helping me launch my DM career and have spoken to him about collaboration on a History of D&D episode

@livrasyt166

2 жыл бұрын

@@InvictaHistory Now I am even more hyped! Invicta and Mat in a DnD video. A dream come true!

@aenorist2431

2 жыл бұрын

@@InvictaHistory So, DnD videos when?

@zacharyelliott7161

2 жыл бұрын

@@InvictaHistory Awesome

24:51 You forgot to depict Antigonus with only one eye! He was known as Antigonus I Monophthalmus (the one-eyed)

this is definitely the most fascinating military unit in history

@seanbigay1042

2 жыл бұрын

Not least because of another guy known for his special shield? "When Captain America throws his Mighty Shield / All those who chose to oppose his Shield must yield!" Of course, as mendacious and faithless as the Silver Shields proved, they were really the backwards of Cap.

@timpac17

Жыл бұрын

The sacred band is also an interesting concept

@Ihavpickle

11 ай бұрын

Not really

@rat488

11 ай бұрын

@@Ihavpickle why would you waste your time writing that...

@Ihavpickle

11 ай бұрын

@@rat488 it's two words bro

Imagine fighting in the battlefield at the age of 60 what a chad move

@TheAdrian229

2 жыл бұрын

And still kick ass of much much younger enemy soldiers , absolute legends

@Ulfhednar1993

2 жыл бұрын

Leonidas was 60 year old when he fought at Thermopylae

@rezawicaksono4753

2 жыл бұрын

beware of a bunch of oldman with a profession where people die young (stolen comment)

@nocive7381

2 жыл бұрын

In that time 60 was 40 in our timeline

@soggybiscuitz5985

2 жыл бұрын

@@nocive7381 No. 60 is 60

I've always wonder about the history of the silver shields since Rome: Total War. Now I know the full history! Thank you so much!! I love your work and your merch. 10/10 all the way!!

@TheBikeOnTheMoon

2 жыл бұрын

Now I understand why Seleucids has silver shield troops. Still, I've been wondering about the same for the bronze shield as well.

@dschehutinefer5627

2 жыл бұрын

I still remember how insane these guys were in Europa Barbarorum. A single unit of silver shields entrenched in the victory zone of a city (where they can't retreat and fight to the last man) was always guaranteeing heavy losses on my side. Even pelted with spears and stones and surrounded on all sides, these guys would just refuse to move an inch and take down three Principes for every one silver shield. Seriously, only the Gallic naked fanatics were more frustrating to fight because of their stacking intimidation bonus.

@deepdungeon8465

2 жыл бұрын

@@dschehutinefer5627 This men are more skilled, more experienced, and more battle hardened than any Roman Legionnaires.

@RJALEXANDER777

2 жыл бұрын

@@deepdungeon8465 The Triarii (never properly represented in Total War) were a similar formation in weapons, experience and prestige. They were the seniors of the pre Marian Roman Maniples, but were more of a reserve/rear-guard force that whilst could often be the decisive element weren't expected to be. The post Marian legions meanwhile mixed soldiers of different experience levels together and veterans were more often than not officers, very similar to how modern armies operate.

@elkingoh4543

6 ай бұрын

Seleucid in Rome TW is OP went face other factions, but.....

love the artworks, the narration and the overall content ! great video

Finally thank u Invicta, I ve ben asking for this since u guys started this amazing series

The terms lochos, lochagos, syntagmata and hypaspist are still used in the Greek army today!

@apmoy70

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, they passed on in the Byzantine military nomenclature and are used in Modern Greek military nomenclature today

@johnvolos8667

2 жыл бұрын

@@apmoy70 Roman not Byzantine....Byzantine is German term and is wrong

@neonknight-1522

Жыл бұрын

@@johnvolos8667 shut up

Awesome video! I would love to see you continue with the successor kingdoms (like Ptolemaic Egypt, and the Seleucids)

Must've been some tough old guys back then , imagine marching all over and then fighting man to man when you're 50 or 60 and even 70 years old.

@Dantick09

2 жыл бұрын

imagine getting beaten by a geriatric army

The Silver shields are one of the best Greek peek Hellenistic era infantry and you can't change my mind

@ktheterkuceder6825

2 жыл бұрын

Better than spartiates.

@haywoodjablomi9393

2 жыл бұрын

Thracian Rhomphaiaphoroi are badass, though they aren't Hellenistic.

@demetriusstiakkogiannakes1326

2 жыл бұрын

@@haywoodjablomi9393Wrong.The Silver Shields remained as a unit during the Hellenistic period and they were still used by the Seleucids.

@haywoodjablomi9393

2 жыл бұрын

@@demetriusstiakkogiannakes1326 I never said Rhomphaiphoroi were the best, I said they were badass.

@trajcemitevski7087

2 жыл бұрын

As the narrative says they are Macedonian silver shields , so 🤷 .

Most interesting, thanks. Love the illustrations and maps, and the soldiers standing on their individual pedestals like board game pieces :-)

Truly amazing stuff keep up the good work

Remember, mirrors are just highly polished silver behind glass. Could you imagine heading to fight guys with big mirrors shinning the light in your eyes? Silver tarnishes pretty quick, which suggests they were more likely to be superbly polished the day of the battle.

My theory on who were the Silvershields. Hypaspist Peltasts and the Ashetairoi/Agema? These men now called Silvershields were originally known as the 5000-strong Phalanx Guard; the picked men of the late Argead and Antigonid Kings. They were deployed on the farthest right of Chalkaspides phalanxes. The most senior veterans among them, a 2000-strong regiment called the *Agema* or Old Guard nicknamed as their age was 45 and 60 *(Asthetairoi or Best Companions)*. The rest are 3000 men called the *Hypaspist-Peltastai* due to their age being 35. Being classified as Elite Special Forces of Macedon, they weren't just sword-armed Shield-bearing Guards or Pike phalangites or skirmishing Peltasts. They were all three. They were equipped like a heavier version of the *"Iphicratean hoplites"* ; wielding a shorter version of the sarissa pike of about 12 to 13 foot long like the ones featured on the tomb of Agios Athanasios, as it was far more easier to manage. Two or three javelins for skirmishes, ambushes and other missions that require more mobility. Upon close-quarters combat, they also carried a 68 to 69 cm blade called Xiphos paired with 70cm variety (shield diameters ranging from 70cm to 74cm) of the Macedonian shield. They also carried a hoplite spear on guarding duties or sieges. For armor, the soldiers would be clad in linen armor reinforced by a tough leather hide along with bronze or iron plates, as the nature of Hellenistic warfare requires them to be highly mobile even in pitch battles. They wore bronze greaves, Iphicratid boots and open helmets either of the Phrygian (or Thracian) variety. The fate of the Silvershields. By the end of the campaign and death of the Macedonian emperor, about 3000 more so or less of the 5000 men were left, most of them once belonged to the younger guard of the Hypaspist-Peltastai chilliarchies aging 60 to 70 but some of the Agema now aging 80 to 90 were still a part of the Corps. But as stated in the video, they were still very much invincible. In the battlefields of Gabiene and Paraitacene, they were able to prove themselves far superior against the enemy Macedonian phalanxes. At the last battle at Gabiene, the Antigonus captured their baggage train. They turned over their commanders Antigenes and Eumenes, who were executed. N.G.L Hammond tells us that when Antigonus inherited the Argyraspides, he found some of them to be very tumultuous and unruly to command so he sent a thousand of the most unruly men into the Satrapy of Sibyrtius where they would be divided into smaller groups and sent into hostile missions against the Indians and other barbarians as form of slow punishment. The rest of the 2000 were incorporated into his phalanxes as file leaders. Though some would be part of the Antigonid Guard.

@giftzwerg7345

2 жыл бұрын

Pikes dont work with hoplite shilds

@thegermaniccoenus2525

2 жыл бұрын

@@giftzwerg7345 I'm breaking down the known concensus of the Elite Guard's armament: the Aspis. Macedonian shields ( or more accurately the *Macedonian Peltai* ) come in two sizes. Namely the 70cm version and the 60cm version. The smaller ones (60cm to 65cm) were used by the Chalkaspides or the Bronze-Shields, more commonly known for their title of honor by Alexander as *"Foot Companions"* The larger version of these shields ( the 70cm to 74cm variety) were the ones used by Elite Guard. The reason why we know this was when the shields were excavated, the royal emblems and the names of the Kings they served were inscribed on the said shields. These are different from the Argive Aspis used by the Greeks in the south. They don't have a bronze porpax but an *ochane* (handle) as this allows the individual soldier to use his two hands in handling a sarissa. The researcher Nicholas Sekunda in his book called *The Macedonian Armies after Alexander* reconstructed a reconstructed an accurate depiction of the shield's handle from the painting of Ajax from the Hellenistic-inspired in a fresco from the House of Menander. Ajax is described from the painting using peltai which reveals three straps of leather being attached to shield as handles. The Elite Guard (the Hypaspist-Peltastai and the Agema) weren't just by all means Shield-bearing guards. Being versatile in combat and the special forces of Macedon, they were also sarissa-bearers. We have literary evidence to support this; that being the "Duel of Coragus and Dioxippus" in Rufus Curtius *The History of Alexander the Great* . On the day of the duel, the Macedonian Coragus is known by his weapons to have wielded a sarissa, a javelin, a sword and a shield. The author did specify the length of pike Coragus used in that duel. But it is clearly known that he would've used a shorter version of about 12ft. in length, as using one with the length of 18 to 20 feet. would've been unsuitable for single combat. We have also artistic evidence to support of such weapons, like the paintings from the Tomb of Agios Athanasios which shows two soldiers of the Guard carrying two short pikes of about 12 feet.

@eagle162

11 ай бұрын

Do you have any sources, I'm very curious to read more about this.

Small correction: it’s is pronounced lochagos (λοχαγός in modern greek meaning the man who leads the lochos)

Great job. The Silver Shields serve as a warning to those who would sacrifice their honor for wealth. The fates have a way of dealing with men like this so that their betrayals ultimately leave them in ruin.

Fun fact: Byzantine Emperor Basil I the Macedonian was very attracted to this historical period because the court related him to Philip and Alexander due to his Macedonian origins. Basil began a Macedonian propaganda campaign to link his dynasty with that of Alexander the Great and himself as Philip, to give more credibility to his campaign he named his son the future Basileus Alexander and established a royal company called the "hetarairea" that was composed of the aristocatras or "philoi" (friends) of the Basileus and the best mercenaries such as the Varangians. He also created a company composed only of Macedonian soldiers since there was a myth in the eastern armies that only they could re-conquer Asia as they did with Alexander.

@apmoy70

2 жыл бұрын

The only problem is that the Macedonia of Basil's era ≠ Ancient Macedonia, as his "Macedonia" is nowadays in Greek Thrace, a few hundred kilometers to the East

@ornessarhithfaeron3576

2 жыл бұрын

:hidethepainharold:

@TeutonicEmperor1198

2 жыл бұрын

@@apmoy70 όντως, το θέμα της Μακεδονίας ήταν στην Θράκη κι όχι στην κανονική Μακεδονία η όποια ανήκε κυρίως στο θέμα της Θεσσαλονίκης!

@wankawanka3053

2 жыл бұрын

But the macedonia he came from was a roman province

Deuratus channel is HIGHLY recommended. One of the best on youtube, and criminally unknown. Seems weird to have no links to Deuratus' channel.... There ought to be one in the description, video card, and in a pinned comment, since he did the heavy lifting of writing the episode.

I believe this was my favorite of the unit documentaries so far!

What a great episode! Thanks guys :D

Shoutouts Eumenese for being the most based Diadochi

@omarbradley6807

2 жыл бұрын

He could be, but maybe Seleucus was the best,

@adammercer6004

Жыл бұрын

Never forget that Eumenes was only Alexander's Secretary and has never fought or commanded prior to Perdicas placing him in command of the northern army and technically he never lost a battle once all it took the Silver Shields betrayal to beat him.

Amazing video once again! Just one small correction: the word is Lochagos, not Lochargos. Also, while you correctly state that they had Xiphos swords you depict a Kopis sword.

Amazing and very informative. Thanks a lot for sharing. Kind regards.

Really enjoyed this, part of a great series of videos.

Greek coalition was the most spectacular event in World's history.

You ought to consider covering a naval unit! The Greek trireme, the roman quinquereme, anything!

just been getting into history. always thought it was boring and this format makes learning it fun. thank you

Great video as always thanks for your work keep it going.

I am a big fan of Eumenes, he is a secretary who became a great general, a shame he was betrayed by the best of the best but hey his curse turned true.

@user-ln8eh5nq3q

2 жыл бұрын

Yes he could unite the empire again

@ferrjuan

2 жыл бұрын

He was the last supporter of Alexander’s dynasty once he died the Diadochi would each claim kingship over their respective regions and of course Cassander would kill Alexander’s heir/son as well as Olympia (Alexander’s mom) and Roxanne (Alexander’s wife)

Seems the Macedonians unlocked this crafting recipe earlier than most Minecraft players that were still fooling around with bronze gear. No wonder they were able to conquer all of the chunks that had been generated so far!

Amazing video!!! I have waited for this video for years

Whoever has been making the art for your videos (for quite a while now) deserves a medal. Any plans to make a course on how to draw like that?

Love your work. Very picky me found the smallest of oversigth: Around 6:30, the unit should be a Pentakosiarchie and its Commander a Pentekosiarchos or Pentekosiarch

@afisemenaborevlaka48

2 жыл бұрын

You're not going to like this. It's actually a "Pentakosiarchia" and a "Pentakosiarchos" or "Pentakosiarch." I guess I'm more picky than you.

@ViceadmiralNelson

2 жыл бұрын

@@afisemenaborevlaka48 If you Read Ael. Tact. 2,10 - likley the source used here - you actually find πεντακοσιαρχιαν (acc sng, fem.) commanded by an πεντακοσιαρχην. For πεντακοσιαρχιαν its a simple question of transliteration - I have seen Pentakosiarchy, Pentakosiarchie and Pentakosiarchia. Now πεντακοσιαρχην is an interesting form, because it is a masculinum that can be found both in the "regular" masculin Decilnation - then the correct nom. sng. would be πεντακοσιαρχος. However, since πεντακοσιαρχιαν is female, Aelian decided that he should use a masculin of the female a-decilnation, hence πεντακοσιαρχην (acc. sng, masc). So the correct nom. sng. masc. of the Pentakosiarch of this special source would be not πεντακοσιαρχος, but πεντακοσιαρχης - or Pentakosiarches. Now the real fun begins, because Aelian uses early second century AD. attic dialect, whereas Alexanders men would have used fourth century BC macedonian dialect, while Alexander himself likley used both the macedonian dialect as well as the posh Attic tongue, perhaps mixed with some doric (his house comming from the peloponessus and all), chacidian elements (with Aristotle coming from Stageira) and whatever Epiroite accent his mother migth have transmitted. There is basically no way for us to know how he would have pronounced it. In terms of writing, the fun gets even better, since our three main written (and all lost) sources are a) Ptolomy (the gods may know his dialect - probably similar to Alexander) Eumenes (greek, from the Chersonessus, official secreterial documents) and Callisthenes (chalcidian, likley with some attic elements). By the way, I would rather count on Arrian, who does - to my knowledge, would need to dive deeper into that - not use the interval of 512 men for the infantry at all, so...

@afisemenaborevlaka48

2 жыл бұрын

@@ViceadmiralNelson OK, I was wrong, you are more picky than me. It's really hard to make sense from all the different Greek dialects used throughout time as to the exact spelling and pronunciation of words. I read an article a while back that Latin mostly derives from the Chalkidian alphabet and dialect. Have to look into that.

*the ending is super depressing* _We hope you've enjoyed this deep dive~!_ lol the tone shift is sudden enough to cause whiplash

That video was beyond amazing!

Yay, I was looking forward to this subject.

Alexander III of Macedon👉🏻 (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος, Aléxandros; 20/21 July 356 BC - 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. A member of the Argead dynasty, he was born in Pella-a city in Ancient Greece-in 356 BC. He succeeded his father King Philip II to the throne at the age of 20, and spent most of his ruling years conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Western Asia and Northeastern Africa. By the age of thirty, he had created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to northwestern India.He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered to be one of history's greatest and most successful military commanders~

@puppetmasterk2

2 жыл бұрын

The kingdom of Macedonia was not greick, but conquered the greick city-states by war

@user-akades1

2 жыл бұрын

@@puppetmasterk2 🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧

@wankawanka3053

Жыл бұрын

@@puppetmasterk2 🇲🇰🎪🇲🇰🎪🇲🇰🎪😭

@Huckleberry00

Жыл бұрын

@@puppetmasterk2 **Quintius Curtius Rufus (History of Alexander; J.C. Rolfe /'Loeb') / Bk IV; chapt i(1), verse 11 (--Alexander 's letter to Darius III; continued): "...Again, Xerxes, of the same (i.e.: Persian) race, came to attack us ... ...; although defeated in a sea-fight, he left Mardonius IN GREECE (i.e.: 'Hellas'), in order that even in his (i.e.: King of Asia, Xerxes') absence he might lay waste OUR cities and burn OUR fields." ***(Plutarch): "Just after (King) Philip had taken Potidaea, he received these three messages at one time, that Parmenio had overthrown the Illyrians in a great battle, that his race-horse had won the course AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES (...i.e.: a quatrennial competition ONLY open to 'Hellenes'; i.e.: 'Greeks'), and that his wife had given birth to Alexander". **“In all there were about three thousand Hellenic heavy infantry, accompanied by all the Macedonian cavalry with the Chalcidians, near one thousand strong, BESIDES an immense crowd of barbarians (i.e.: 'besides' NON-Greeks)." (Thucydides 4.124)

@nezperce2767

5 ай бұрын

​​@@puppetmasterk2ideed it was not gceik.you can use any available source on that. Timenides were never greiks

Dude casually in a MCDM shirt. What a legend.

One of my favourite youtube channels now

Invicta you make me feel like a child. I love the thumbnail give me rome total war vibes playing as seleucid in the desert. Could you also look into famous mercenary bands across history?. Thanks and great vid

Imagine the distances they were walking their whole life.

@Dennell_Mount_and_Blade

2 жыл бұрын

It's really quite an accomplishment if you think about how much equipment they had to carry as well. I wonder how their knees and backs were able to hold out all those years. To some extent they were the super humans of their time.

The Silver Shields had Silver Beards to match. When Elders had Conquered an Empire.

Many congrats. Great Video 🏺🏺🏺🏺

Incredible details very interesting .thank you

The Spartans get all the publicity as great Greek Warriors, but undoubtedly, the greatest Greek Warriors in antiquity were the Macedonians. Interestingly, both the Macedonians and the Spartans were the only Greeks who formed the Dorian tribe. They were cousins. I'm glad the narrator at least mentions the Indian campaigns as nobody acknowledges the Greeks' toughest battle in India, The Battle of the Multan Fortress where Alexander suffered his worst life-threatening wound.

@lettuceman9439

Жыл бұрын

Sparta generally screw themselves over after the rise of Macedonia, They were the boogeyman of greece even when they were eventually outmatch by thebes and later rome.

@ww2wall561

Жыл бұрын

Macedonians and Spartans were Dorians Hesiodus, Herodotus etc. Thus equally stubborned

The thing that always amazes me about the Macedonians is that their army never seems to have numbered more than 40,000 of their own troops, and yet look what they accomplished! Their military exploits under Philip and Alexander outshine any comparable Roman tag team of generals, while the best of the Hellenistic Era rivals the best of the Greco-Roman period.

@ww2wall561

Жыл бұрын

Greeks were always numbered

@tiestofalljays

11 ай бұрын

One of the closest comparison’s I’d pull would be the Roman Empreror Aurelian during the Crisis of the 3rd Century. Rome seemed on the verge of collapse, but this man somehow, at a breakneck pace, fought battles and recaptured Egypt, Gaul, and Palmyra [among others]…all while bouncing between the East of West of the Empire….all in what? 5ish years? It honestly seems almost impossible to believe, and a show based on this in the style of “Rome” would probably outdo Game of Thrones in its grandeur. The Palmyra arc would be super interesting, there was all sorts of political intrigue going on. The city of Órleans in France is named after him (and I suppose, by extension, so is New Orleans in the USA :) ). He’s got to be one of my favorite ever figures in Roman history for sure.

@AKRITAS365

11 ай бұрын

@ww 2wall The Greeks were always outnumbered and still managed to destroy their enemies. The recent example was the Greco Italian war in 1940 where the Greek army Completely destroyed the invading Iralian army which was heavily armed by German arms and by airforce.

It was fun to see an MCDM shirt on this channel :) Great video, as always.

Some corrections: Lochagos [λοχαγός -> λόχος (company) + άγω (lead/guide)]. Syntagmata is the plural, the singular is syntagma (σύνταγμα = regiment). A pentakosiarchy [πεντακοσιαρχία -> πεντακόσια (500) + άρχω (rule)] is lead by a pentakosiarch (πεντακοσιάρχης). Great video overall, thank you.

Alexander the Great is even mentioned in the Geneva bible, I love reading about that great man.

@x1_catalyst_x174

2 жыл бұрын

How is he great? What did he do after his conquest, oh shoot he died and no one knows where his grave is=(

Do you think that having a highly trained unit armed with polished Silver Shields could have been used as a field weapon? Reflecting the glaring sun into the eyes of the enemy, blinding or even temporarily dazzling your opponent just before engagement must give some advantages especially if your being disadvantaged because the higher ground you've chosen is facing into the sun but with silver polished shields you could turn your disadvantage back into an advantage, I wonder if any battle re-enactments have been recreated to test if this could have been deployed as a battle field tactic?

Thanks for making videos like this.

You guys are great, keep up with great work

Finally, my Rome Total War bias :)

In 7:40 you made a mistake, you said the soldier used xiphos sword but you drew kopis model :)

Great channel thank you for sharing 🍀🌞✍🏼

Awesome work you guys do.

60!!! Jesus, watch out for that guy. Beware an old man in a profession where men die young!

Alexander severus also based some of his own units on these guys and were named golden shields

Bravo , your guys just raised your own bar much higher

Great episode!

7:42 "And the Xiphos sword" The guy picks up a kopis

"Λοχαγός" ie "Lochagos", not "Lochargos". AMAZING video nevertheless.

@user-xy1pd9cr3r

2 жыл бұрын

There is also lochargos a lochagos who is lame or goes late,take his time to do things or maybe a lochagos from Argos 😁

@VforValenti

2 жыл бұрын

@@user-xy1pd9cr3r hahahahaha....

Thank you sir for this video

Hi, i like your videos a lot for they are informative and objective, and i would suggest a video about Scythian/Sarmatian units since those people and their influence in European world are too understated and are not nearly enough researched and known...

I'm world building for a fantasy book inspired by the immediate post Alexandrian era. This may turn out to be useful so thank you

@InvictaHistory

2 жыл бұрын

An excellent choice in setting. So much rich content to choose from.

Lochos lochagos syntagma pezikarioi etc... Exist until now in Greek army

@metigame1450

2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣

@MikeSmith-vl5em

Жыл бұрын

When I read that I was like is this dude speaking elvish or sindarin from LOTR LOL I’m reading the novel the change and the rangers war cry starts with lochos

@gelisgeo1309

Жыл бұрын

@@MikeSmith-vl5em I don't understand

@nezperce2767

5 ай бұрын

Modern greek are formed by Archelaos king of Macs and close friend of Evripides. He took his capital from Aiges to Pella. Study

@gelisgeo1309

4 ай бұрын

@@nezperce2767 I think you have not understood what I wrote.. the Byzantine titles are completely Greek and are used to this day. that's what I'm talking about

Wonderful video! ⚔🏹

Great documentary 👏

Yet he turned against Perdiccas, allied with Antipatros, which sparked the first Diadochi war.

Excellent coverage, but as a nit-picking comment; when the animation shows the equipment of the Hypaspists, the narrator mentions their sidearm being a Xiphos but the weapon shown is actually a Kopis.

@GottHammer

2 жыл бұрын

that and I thought that use of the word 'hoplon' for shield is less preferable to 'aspis' now?

@BeatMonkeyV5

2 жыл бұрын

@@GottHammer I guess the term ‘hoplon’ is more related to the idea of the Hoplite, but in reality the names are interchangeable for the same piece of equipment

@szarekhthesilent2047

2 жыл бұрын

@@BeatMonkeyV5 Nope. Hoplon means "equipment (for war)" where as "aspis" means "guardian"/shield. That being said, Dipylon, Aspis, Thyreos and Pelta are all overlapping in some areas. So feel free to call the shield Hoplon. Or Bob. I think Bob sounds good.We should call the shied Bob, and the Spear "also Bob".

Amazing episode