How did the Romans win the battle of Cynoscephalae?

The Roman victory was achieved through the initiative of a tribune, whose name is unknown. He abandoned his part and attacked the rear of the Macedonian right wing, taking twenty maniples. This was the first time Roman legions were victorious over a Macedonian phalanx.

What advantage did the Legion have over the Greek phalanx?

Short arms made it easier for individual soldiers or subunits to turn and change direction. Too, careful articulation, a well-rehearsed command system, and the use of standards—which do not seem to have been carried by Hellenistic armies—made the legion a much more flexible organization than the phalanx.

What happened at the Battle of Cynoscephalae?

Battle of Cynoscephalae, (197 bce), conclusive engagement of the Second Macedonian War, in which Roman general Titus Quinctius Flamininus checked the territorial ambitions of Philip V of Macedonia and bolstered Roman influence in the Greek world.

Who did the Romans fight in the Battle of Cynoscephalae?

The battle of Cynoscephalea of 197 B.C. was the decisive battle of the First Macedonian War, and was the first of a series of victories won by Roman legions over the Greek phalanx that ended three centuries of Greek dominance on the battlefield.

Where was the battle of Cynoscephalae?

Cynoscephalae
Thessaly
Battle of Cynoscephalae/Location

What is the advantage of the Manipular Legion?

The real strength or advantage of Rome’s manipular army was not new equipment or tactics per se, although the structure did allow for these, but its ability to include and incorporate a range of different units into a single military structure.

What happened during the Great Roman Civil War?

The Great Roman Civil War (50-44 BC) was triggered by the rivalry between Julius Caesar and his conservative opposition in the Senate, and saw Caesar defeat all of his enemies in battles scattered around the Roman world, before famously being assassinated in Rome on the Ides of March, triggering yet another round of …

What caused the battle of Cynoscephalae?

The war had been triggered by Philip V of Macedonia’s attempts to extend his kingdom into Asia Minor and the Aegean. This had led to war with Attalus of Pergamum and Rhodes, and those powers had then appealed to Rome.

Who fought in the Battle of Cynoscephalae?

The Battle of Cynoscephalae (Greek: μάχη τῶν κυνὸς κεφαλῶν) was an encounter battle fought in Thessaly in 197 BC between the Roman army, led by Titus Quinctius Flamininus, and the Antigonid dynasty of Macedon, led by Philip V.

Was Cynoscephalae the best example of a flexible legion?

It comes as no surprise that the Greek historian Polybius of Megalopolis concluded that Cynoscephalae was the best example to show the flexible legions were superior to the phalanx. note [Polybius, World History 18.28-31 .]

How did Flamininus defeat the phalangites?

The Roman right attacked the Macedonians and were more successful than the Roman left. Flamininus concentrated his attack on Nicanor and the Macedonian left. Now that the battle was balanced, Flamininus sent his elephants charging into the phalangites, and they panicked. After breaking through and gaining ground,…

How did Philip the great defeat the Roman army?

Philip ordered his right phalanx charge down into the Roman left; the Macedonians held the high ground and initially pushed the Romans back down the Cynoscephalae, albeit at a slow pace.