Silver Shield Pikemen (RTW Unit)

SILVER SHIELD PIKEMEN

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The Argyraspides (in Greek: Ἀργυράσπιδες "Silver Shields"), were a division of the Macedonian army of Alexander the Great, who were so called because they carried silver-plated shields. They were picked men, were commanded by Nicanor, the son of Parmenion, and were held in high esteem by Alexander. They were an elite, veteran unit of hypaspists, having changed their name to the Argyraspides whilst in India under Alexander (Arr. Anab. 7.11.3). After the death of Alexander (323 BC) they followed Eumenes. Although most of them were over sixty, they were feared and revered due to their battle skills and experience.

At the Battle of Gabiene they settled with Antigonus when he managed to take possession of their baggage train (consisting of their families and the result of forty years of plunder). They obtained the return of their possessions, but in exchange betrayed their General Eumenes to him (316 BC).

Antigonus, however, soon disbanded the corps, finding it too turbulent and dangerous to control. He sent them to Sibyrtius, the Macedonian satrap of Arachosia, with the order to dispatch them by small groups of two or three to dangerous suicide missions, so that their numbers would rapidly dwindle and ultimately destroy the corps.