The Dardanians and the Origin of the So-Called “Macedonian Phalanx”

The Macedonian phalanx, invented by Philip II, is considered to have been a pikeman-phalanx. However, a detailed analysis has shown that the full pikeman-phalanx must have been a later military innovation which was introduced at the beginning of Antigonus Dōsōn’s reign. Before this, the phalanx can only have been one of spearmen, although it is probable that the rear ranks were already armed with pikes. Following a deeper investigation, and taking into consideration forgotten archaeological material from Bosnia-Herzegovina, this article argues that this reform of the Macedonian heavy infantry’s armament occurred as a consequence of Demetrius II’s major military defeat in a pitched battle against the Dardanians in 229 BC.