The Companions (Greek Εταίροι) were Alexander the Great's elite cavalry, the main offensive arm of his army, and also his elite guard. They would be used as the hammer, in conjunction with his Macedonian phalanx based infantry, which acted as the anvil. The phalanx would "fix" (pin) the enemy in place, and the Companion cavalry would attack the enemy on the flank or from behind. It should be noted that Alexander employed other cavalry forces, which he normally deployed on his left. The companions were a heavier, better armed unit, made up mainly of noblemen. Alexander the Great (Greek: ,[1] Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC–June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of the most successful military commanders in history. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ... The Macedonian phalanx is an infantry formation developed by Philip II and used by his son Alexander the Great to conquer the Persian Empire and other armies. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Normally, Alexander would lead the charge with his cavalry, usually in a wedge formation. In a pitched battle, the Companions usually fought on the right wing of the Macedonian army, next to the shield bearing guard, and he normally positioned the phalanx in the center. The various cavalry troops would also protect the flanks of the Macedonian line during a battle. As heavy cavalry, the Companions were Alexander's decisive arm in battle.

The Companions were organized into territorial squadrons, made of 200 to 300 soldiers. In Alexander's campaign into Persia, there were eight squadrons, commanded by Philotas, with one being the royal squadron. Philip II of Macedon enlarged the size of the unit to around 2000 soldiers, as opposed to the 600 used as a mounted bodyguard for the king in battle. This article or section seems not to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ... Philip II of Macedon: victory medal (niketerion) struck in Tarsus, 2nd c. ...

The Companions would ride the best horses, and receive the best weaponry available. In Alexander's day, each carried a xyston (a long thrusting spear), and wore both a cuirass and helmet. A kopis (curved slashing sword) was also carried for melee combat. Xyston (Greek spear, javelin) was a type of a long thrusting lance in ancient Greece. ... This article is devoted to the type of armour known as a cuirass. ... An illustration showing a kopis with a hook-like hilt. ...

Under the successors of Alexander

The Companion cavalry of the Diadochi, the collective name for the various rival successors to Alexander, were all more heavily equipped. Seleucid Companions were noted to have worn lighter, but not otherwise dissimilar, equipment to the cataphracts at the Battle of 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 unlike the Companions of Phillip and Alexander. In general Diadochi (in Greek Διάδοχοι, transcripted Diadochoi) means successors, such that the neoplatonic refounders of Platos Academy in Late Antiquity referred to themselves as diadochi (of Plato). ... The Seleucid Empire was a Hellenistic successor state of Alexander the Greats dominion. ... A cataphract (from the Greek κατάφρακτος katafraktos, plural katafraktoi) was a form of heavy cavalry used by nomadic eastern Iranian tribes and dynasties and later Greeks and Latin-speaking peoples. ... Combatants Roman Republic Seleucid Empire Commanders Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus Scipio Africanus Eumenes II of Pergamum Antiochus III the Great Strength 50. ... The Antigonid dynasty was a dynasty of Macedonian kings descended from Alexander the Greats general Antigonus I Monophthalmus (the One-eyed). Antigonus himself ruled mostly over Asia Minor and northern Syria. ... cleopatra ruled seneca for 10 years before she ruled Egypt. ...

See also

• Sarissophoroi
• Xyston