SELEUCID MOUNTED TROOPS: A REASSESSMENT OF THE ORGANISATION AND OPERATION OF THE SELEUCID CAVALRY AND ITS UNCONVENTIONAL UNITS A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE FACULTY OF HUMANITIES 2020 SILVANNEN R. GERRARD SCHOOL OF ARTS, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................. 6 ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. 7 DECLARATION ...................................................................................................................... 8 COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ................................................................................................. 9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................... 10 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 11 0.1. Focus ........................................................................................................................ 11 0.1.1. Challenging the Current Scholarly Climate ................................................... 11 0.1.2. A Tripartite Infrastructure .............................................................................. 14 0.1.3. Combined Arms Theory................................................................................. 17 0.1.4. Definitions and Boundaries ............................................................................ 19 0.2. The Sources ............................................................................................................. 23 0.2.1. Approaching the Ancient Evidence ............................................................... 23 0.2.2. Reconstructing Battles ................................................................................... 31 0.3. Outline ..................................................................................................................... 36 CHAPTER 1 UNDERSTANDING THE HORSES OF THE SELEUCID EMPIRE ............................. 39 1.1. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 39 1.2. Features and Characteristics .................................................................................... 41 1.3. Ancient Horse ‘Types’ ............................................................................................. 48 1.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 57 CHAPTER 2 A TRIPARTITE MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE: THE CASE FOR MILITARY SETTLEMENTS .............................................................................................. 59 2.1. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 59 2.2. The Structure of the Seleucid Army ........................................................................ 60 2.2.1. Traditional Bipartite Approaches ................................................................... 60 2.2.2. A New Tripartite System ............................................................................... 62 2.3. Military Settlements................................................................................................. 65 2.3.1. A Large Standing Army? ............................................................................... 65 2 2.3.2. Evidence ......................................................................................................... 69 2.3.3. Workings and Implications ............................................................................ 80 2.3.4. The Guard ...................................................................................................... 87 2.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 92 CHAPTER 3 SELEUCID MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE: THE ORGANISATION OF THE CAVALRY .................................................................................................................... 97 3.1. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 97 3.2. A Tripartite Division of the Cavalry ........................................................................ 98 3.2.1. The Cavalry Guard ....................................................................................... 100 3.2.2. ‘Non-Regular’ Cavalry ................................................................................ 108 3.2.3. Reserve Cavalry ........................................................................................... 117 3.3. Infantry:Cavalry Ratios ......................................................................................... 122 3.4. Studs and Other Logistics ...................................................................................... 135 3.4.1. Stud Locations.............................................................................................. 136 3.4.2. Other Cavalry Logistics ............................................................................... 150 3.5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 154 CHAPTER 4 BATTLE TACTICS: THE SELEUCID CAVALRY IN OPERATION ......................... 158 4.1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 158 4.2. Cavalry Positions on the Battlefield ...................................................................... 162 4.2.1. The Flanks: A Standard Battle Arrangement ............................................... 162 4.2.2. The Centre .................................................................................................... 170 4.2.3. Cavalry Held in Reserve .............................................................................. 175 4.2.4. The Tripartite Structure and Cavalry Placement .......................................... 178 4.3. The Role of Cavalry on the Battlefield .................................................................. 181 4.3.1. Charge and Pursuit as an Offensive Strategy ............................................... 184 4.3.2. Sham Retreat ................................................................................................ 189 4.3.3. Harassment of the Enemy ............................................................................ 194 4.3.4. The Tripartite Structure and Cavalry Tactics ............................................... 197 4.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 199 CHAPTER 5 COMBINED ARMS: THE USE OF UNCONVENTIONAL TROOPS ......................... 203 5.1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 203 5.2. Elephants................................................................................................................ 207 5.2.1. Battlefield Position ....................................................................................... 210 3 5.2.1a. In Front of the Main Line ................................................................... 212 5.2.1b. Integrated Within the Main Line ........................................................ 222 5.2.1c. Behind the Main Line ......................................................................... 227 5.2.1d. Summary ............................................................................................ 232 5.2.2. Tactical Role ................................................................................................ 233 5.2.2a. Engaging Other Elephants ................................................................. 234 5.2.2b. Blocking Other Units ......................................................................... 238 5.2.2c. Psychological Warfare ....................................................................... 240 5.2.3. Evidence of Combined Arms? ..................................................................... 245 5.3. Scythed Chariots .................................................................................................... 248 5.3.1. Battlefield Position ....................................................................................... 253 5.3.2. Tactical Role ................................................................................................ 255 5.3.3. Evidence of Combined Arms? ..................................................................... 258 5.4. Camels ................................................................................................................... 260 5.4.1. Battlefield Position ....................................................................................... 261 5.4.2. Tactical Role ................................................................................................ 263 5.4.3. Evidence of Combined Arms? ..................................................................... 264 5.5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 265 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................................