This time around I'm giving the AI more credit. It's got a pretty good grasp how to deal with a Phalanx and it's caught me a few times. I've had Barbarians charge me just as I was changing my facing, thus disrupting the phalanx formation. So it's got it's weakness for sure.

According to an A&E documentary I have about Persian conquest by Alexander, the phalanx was an aggressive formation. ? It states they formed up a solid wall of pikes, and slowly moved forward mowing right through the opposition. Where as Persian fighting style was dominated with a defensive formation of shields and overhand use spears or swords such was at the battle of Issus.

It's a little easier to believe his army is what won all his battles, than to believe he won all his battles because he was Alexander the great. Not knocking him or nothing, but still.