Ancient Warfare Podcast · The History Network

The triple acies revisited

December 19, 2025·11 min·1 clip

Alexander's hypaspists protected his phalanx's flank, but their own right side was left vulnerable.

The host answers a listener's question about how Roman triple-line formations could avoid being outflanked by enemies with wider frontages. He explores this tactical puzzle by examining historical examples from Greek hoplite battles to Alexander the Great and Hannibal, explaining how armies protected their flanks and how thinking about envelopment evolved in ancient warfare.

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