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Revision as of 17:35, 10 May 2006 by Rpost (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Companions (Greek: Hetairoi) were Alexander the Great's elite cavalry, the offensive arm of his army and also his elite guard. They would be used in conjunction with his Macedonian phalanx. The Phalanx would "fix" the enemy into place and then the Companion cavalry would attack the enemy on the flank. Alexander would lead the charge with his cavalry, normally in a wedge formation. These troops would also protect the flanks of the Macedonian line during battle. As heavy cavalry the companions were Alexander the Great's decisive arm in battle.
The Companions would ride the best horses and receive the best weaponry available. In Alexander's day, each carried a long thrusting spear (xyston) and wore a cuirass and helmet. The Companion cavalry of the Diadochi were more heavily equipped; Seleucid Companions were noted to have worn lighter, but not otherwise dissimilar, equipment to the cataphracts at Magnesia in 190 BC, which may have included partial horse armour and leg and arm protection. Seleucid, Antigonid, and perhaps Ptolemaic Companions were also equipped with a large round cavalry shield.
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