Pydna

June 22, 168 BC

Strategic Context
Following the death of Philip V of Macedon in 179 BC, Perseus of Macedon hopes to renew his fathers ambition of conquering Greece. This leads to tensions and eventual war with Pergamum, which is expanding quickly under the leadership of King Eumenes. Rome, more concerned with Macedonian power and its alliances with anti-Roman factions in Thrace, sides with Pergamum, resulting in an indecisive war 171-170 BC. Dissatisfied with this result, the Roman Senate appoints Lucius Aemilius Paullus as commander of the army to properly subdue Macedon. In June 168 BC, Paullus advances, outflanking Macedonian mountain positions, and forcing Perseus to retreat to Pydna. There the two armies encamp for days until a skirmish erupts into a full-scale battle.

Stakes
+ A Macedonian victory would preserve its existence and end Roman influence in Greece. + A Roman victory would effectively end Macedonian independence and pacify Greece.

By Jonathan Webb, 2011

Pydna, 168 BC
Strength
Macedonians Perseus 21,000 phalangites 19,000 other infantry 4,000 cavalry Well

Romans
Lucius Aemilius Paullus 20,000 legionnaires 15,000 other infantry 2,000 cavalry 22 war elephants

Well

By Jonathan Webb, 2011

The simply pushes the Roman legionnaires back, their long spears continuing to the Roman sword. However, as Paullus deploys alongside his experienced heavy infantry, the legionnaires, the center. They are flanked lighter infantry on each side, Greek allies onto their left, allies Perseus Paullus orders orders the his phalanx legionnaires infantry forward to break without down committing into smaller his cavalry. units to at infiltrate The Thracians the disrupted on the phalanx right surge though ahead many of outrange the of which slow-moving are already phalanx doing engage so on Latin their Paullus own The Macedonian Roman war elephants smash the Macedonian mercenaries, hitting their left by flank and rear. Meanwhile, the Roman legionnaires on their right. Paullus places his few cavalry onany each flank, and his forcing war elephants on the right pinning wing. Perseus deploys his compact infantry phalanx athilly the center. It is flanked by the Roman legionnaires fall back, the Macedonian phalanx becomes increasingly disordered as it advances over rough terrain. The tight, Greek initiative. allied The infantry. Roman The legionnaires Macedonian exploit phalanx advances and all gaps, gradually as the a single Macedonian mass, phalangites down to the drop Roman their legionnaires long spears and and gaining resort to an their early ineffective advantage short with continue toonslaughter the Macedonian phalangites as their deploys formation disintegrates and unit routs; only a small unit of the phalanx lighter infantry each side, mercenaries on its left, Thracians on its right. Perseus an experimental anti-elephant opposite the Roman war elephants in the hopes of its long formation swords. spears The Roman over their attack swords. is show particularly The Pelignians, effective stationed onbreaks the phalanxs with the exposed Latin allied left infantry, Paullus attempt also a orders counter-attack a war elephant their commander charge which resorting routs the to anti-elephant tossing their dense begins to disruption and in its cohesion; a flank. gap between the phalanx and the left wing also widens as the Roman maintains its resolve and fights to the last. With collapse of the and the cavalry flee. neutralizing them; Perseus holds his cavalry back on each wing the awaiting the result of thisphalanx, experiment,Perseus himself occupying a position on the right wing. standard corps and into threatens the enemy the entire ranks Macedonian to incite them left but wing. are With repulsed war elephants with heavy onloss the field, and pushed Perseus back cannot by the commit Macedonian his cavalry mercenaries. and influence the battle. war elephants prepare to enter the battle.

Romans (Paullus)
N

Romans (Lucius Aemilius Paullus) 20,000 legionnaires 15,000 other infantry 2,000 cavalry 22 war elephants

Macedonians (Perseus) 21,000 phalangites 19,000 other infantry 4,000 cavalry

Macedonians (Perseus)

Pydna, 168 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Macedonians: Romans:

31,000 or 70%

1,000 or 3%

The Romans captured Perseus shortly after the battle, ending the war. The Roman Senate decided to deal with Macedon harshly to avoid any future troubles, occupying its territory and disarming is citizens. The Romans imprisoned anyone believed to have been involved with Perseus indefinitely and even vilified King Eumenes of Pergamum, whose territory became a Roman vassal as a result of the power shift in the region. In 150 BC, Macedon again became a problem for Rome when Andriscus claimed to be heir to Perseus and led a popular uprising; the uprising was crushed once again near Pydna in 148 BC.
By Jonathan Webb, 2011

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps

http://www.theartofbattle.com
By Jonathan Webb, 2011