The Macedonian horse cavalry
The army of Alexander the Great could be c eithered Macedonian because it fought for the Macedonian king. Its troops were like many other armies in Antiquity whole distinguishly recruited from the kingdom itself. These soldiers from Macedonia proper were supplemented by considerable forces from other territories. The native Macedonians however remained the most authorized part of the army. These men served both in the cavalry as well as in the infantry. The most prestigious of the attach troops were the hetairoi or companions. The companion cavalry had its origins in the retainers unplowed by the Macedonian royal house. At first the members of this selected unit were recruited among the Macedonian nobility. During the reign of king Philippus II its efficacy had however been raised from approximately 600 horsemen to over three hundred0 troopers. Only part of these were selected among Macedonian nobles, others were recruited from Thessaly and other parts of the Greek world. These hetairoi were organised in ilai or wings of some 200 men except for the basilikè ilè or agèma, the royal squadron, which had a strength of 300 to 400 cavalrymen. In battle these units of Macedonian hetairoi were generally form up in a wedge formation.
The companion cavalry was outfit with metal helmets and various types of body armour.
Some troopers wore linen or leather corselets reinforced with metal scales while others equipped themselves with bronze or iron breastplates. A number of horsemen whitethorn even have spurned the use of armour, either for modestness of comfort or out of sheer bravado. Shields were probably only reserved for dismounted actions. The hetairoi usually carried a variety of heavy poking spears to act as heavy shock cavalry, though they were on occasion armed with javelins. A sword was at all times in use as...
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