I hate phalanxes

[Cadwalader]

Were you on higher ground? I've had similar experiences with my own Baktrian troops. Few things can 'charge' uphill into a phalanx and come out alive. Don't underestimate higher ground!

Now that you mention it, I believe I was. It still doesn't seem right, but such things happen in RTW. In a way I guess that's realistic.

By the way the Levy phalanx is often better than the klerouchi medium phalanx because they have AP axes.

No axes involved, this time. I just turned my attention elsewhere after the two phalanxes had engaged, and when I returned I found the pezheratoi decimated and routed.