Ancient Greece

Silver Shields (Argyraspides) - An elite veteran unit of the ancient Macedonian army

The Silver Shields (Argyraspides) were an elite unit of veteran soldiers in the ancient Macedonian army, renowned for their skill and experience.

These phalangites, armed with long sarissas (pikes), were integral to the Macedonian phalanx, a formation celebrated for its battlefield effectiveness.

The Silver Shields, consisting mainly of veterans who had served under Alexander the Great, were distinguished by their distinctive silver-plated shields, symbolising their elite status.

Known for their discipline and resilience, the Silver Shields played crucial roles in significant battles, such as the Battle of Hydaspes in 326 BCE and later in the Wars of the Diadochi, including the Battle of Gabiene in 316 BCE.

Despite being infantry, they enjoyed privileges akin to those of the elite cavalry, receiving high pay, land grants, and opportunities for social advancement.

Their reputation for military excellence endured beyond their time, embodying the strength and discipline of the Macedonian army.

Article first published by Khushi Jaan

READ MORE: Pasta finds its roots in ancient Greece; historians confirm through texts.

Ads1

Ads1
Paul Antonopoulos

Recent Posts

Archaeologists Uncover an Ancient Greek Bronze Statue Scrapyard Loaded with Body Parts

Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed around 2,000 pieces of bronze statues in an ancient scrapyard…

24 minutes ago

Megyn Kelly Weighs in on Rumors of Alleged Obama-Aniston Affair

A viral social media post has ignited rumors of a romantic relationship between Jennifer Aniston…

40 minutes ago

Trump's Crypto Revolution: President Launches Working Group to Reform U.S. Digital Asset Policy

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formation of a dedicated cryptocurrency working group…

1 hour ago

Kimberly Guilfoyle Honored by Greek American Leaders

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece-designate, was honored at an event in Washington, D.C.,…

4 hours ago

BREAKING NEWS: Trump Allegedly Signs Order to Declassify Files on JFK, RFK, and MLK

In a stunning revelation, former President Donald Trump has reportedly signed an order to declassify…

4 hours ago

U.S. Air Force Eyes Cyprus Airbase for Middle East Humanitarian Operations

The U.S. Air Force is assessing upgrades to Cyprus’ Andreas Papandreou Air Base to enhance…

6 hours ago