The Makedonian Army

[NickTheGreek]

Just out of curiosity how did the Makedonian soldiers of EB's time equip themselves, was their weaponry paid for by the state or were they incharge of sourcing their own equipment? I'm specifically interested in the pezhetairoi as for a phalanx to work most effectively i'd assume some degree of uniformity would be needed.

[SuperGosc]

All their equipment was payed for from the kings treasury. Phalanx was pretty cheap anyways, considering their light equipment.

[rider]

I wouldn't name it 'cheap'. Try keeping thousands of men fed and armed of your salary. :P

[Megas Methuselah]

I suppose we can all agree that, in comparison to heavier troops, phalanxes were less expensive to equip and maintain. Right?

[Maion Maroneios]

It depends on what type of unit you mean. If you are talking about phalangitai, they usually wore a linothorax, a Thraikian or Phrygian helmet, an Illyrian shield, one or no greave, a sarissa and a shortsword. This type of equipement would not be very expensive, as opposed to a legionary for example, but in great numbers it would be a great amount of coins. Do not forget that those weapons needed constant friction and care as to prevent them from rust and such things.

The equipement of mlight and medium infantry would be given by the state, AFAIK, though aristocrats or wealthy citizens could provide their own equipment in battle, fighting as heavier units. Peltastai or Thureophoroi could also have been equipped by the state, as well as the psiloi regiments (toxotai, akontistai, sphendonetai).

Maion

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

... as well as the psiloi regiments (toxotai, akontistai, sphendonetai).

I always thought that especially psiloi fought with their own equipment. They appear on the battlefield with their private clothes, a knive and a sling or hunting bow.

"Hey you over there. You're in the army now!"
"Hmm, me?" *slowly walking backwards*
"Yes YOU!" *giving the poor goat herder a hit on the skull and dragging him into the camp*