1. Companion

The Companions was one of two guard units, which usually fought around the king and was a direct descendant of the Macedonian horse guard. It was probably 1000 strong and raised from Greco-Macedonian colonists. As with Alexander’s army, the Seleucids used heavy or armoured cavalry armed with the kontos or xyston (and sometimes doru), which was a long thrusting spear or lance held with both hands. There are few indications that Seleucid cavalry used shields, except for light cavalry (see below). Following the reforms of Antiochus III, most of the Seleucid cavalry were converted to cataphracts. The Companions may have had lighter armour than cataphracts and Agema but still been classed as armoured cavalry and fought in the same manner as the other two.

The Agema was the other horse guard unit and also numbered 1000 (the number mentioned at Daphnae). It was probably raised from the Iranian or Persian or Mede elements of the population, which suggests that it was originally recruited after Alexander’s conquests or even later to emulate his philosophy of fusing the main national groups of his empire. It was considered by some historians to be the best cavalry unit in the Seleucid army. The equestrian skills of the eastern population and their horse breeds may have given them an edge over the Macedonian cavalry; however, this is unclear. Its rating as a senior guard unit is attested in many battles up to the Daphnae parade and for many years after. After the Parthians conquered the eastern provinces, a new unit from Larissa in what is now Syria may have been raised as there is reference to the Agema from this area in the Jewish campaigns (see below for more details).

A contingent of 1000 is mentioned at Daphnae by Polybius but no other information about this cavalry type. Since Iranian cavalry were included in Alexander’s post-conquest army (Indian campaigns), this may have been an alternate name for such units. One of the main sources of horses was the Plain of Nisa and they were largest horse type recorded by historians for period. They possibly fought next to Agema at Magnesia and Livy states both were formed of Medes (Persians). The Nisaian were possibly a cataphract unit same as other eastern units and resembled the Agema.

There is a formation of 3000 citizen cavalry mentioned at Daphnae by Polybius. Thes may have been Greek and other ethnic citizens who had an acknowledged status within the kingdom and were recruited as cavalry. Harkening back to the army of Alexander, these may have been the descendants of the cavalry from the various non-Macedonian contingents, which fought with Alexander and his successors. Many of the Successors employed cavalry equipped like the Macedonian and Thessalian cavalry. While Sekunda considers this a single entity, it is also likely that this was actually three or more units, which paraded together to show their commonality. The normal size of cavalry units was 1000 (syntagma) or 500 (hipparchia).

A group or unit of 1000 Friends paraded at Daphnae, which is unusual as this title was given to the courtiers, friends and other senior officials entrusted by the king to act as advisors, commanders and administrators of his forces and territories. The grouping of these men may have simply been done to emphasise their role in the kingdom rather than as a formed military unit. This illustrates the problem in relying on unfamiliar sources for information. The number of Friends and the role in the parade suggest that there may have been a unit; however, other evidence would suggest otherwise. The kings had a varying number of close colleagues who were ranked within an organization identified as the Friends. Sekunda identifies four grades of Friends in his book. The senior and trusted members were the highest-ranking members of the government. The honorific could also be given to loyal supporters and successful leaders to indicate the king’s respect for their efforts. It is more likely that the Friends were paraded as a general staff and not a tactical unit.

This is another unit, which may have been given preferential treatment because of its long association with the Seleucids. A unit of 1000 participated at Daphnae and were probably raised from Larissa near Antioch. These were quite possibly descendants of colonists or soldiers of Alexander’s army. Their stature is also reflected by the fact that they replaced the Agema after the Parthian conquest of the east cut-off the traditional recruiting area of the guard unit. This unit is evidence of the importance given to Macedonian or Greek citizens in the army. Whatever the role of military settlers/colonists, there was obviously many units formed from recruits of a specific area. This would ensure continuation of traditional weapons and tactics and development of homogeneous units. While it may be argued that only a minority of the army could be considered full time, it is also apparent that efforts were made to induct new soldiers into units comprising troops from the same place. This may not have developed a sense of nationality but may have fostered stronger ties between the people and the government (king).

The first Seleucid armies probably had a mix of Macedonian and Iranian heavy horse armed with kontos or xyston and other thrusting spears. Most would have metallic torso armour and helmets, possibly supplemented by arm and leg armour, and horse armour. Bar Kochva stated that Antiochus III converted some of his kontos-armed cavalry to armoured cavalry or cataphracts during his eastern campaigns (216-10 BC). About 6000 fought at Magnesia and an unknown number at Panion; however, there is no mention of them at Raphia or in the battle against Molon (which were probably Xystophoroi). A force of 1500 paraded at Daphnae, which is an odd number because most other cavalry units were 1000. Most sources agree that rider and horse wore armour, although it is unclear as how complete this was. The men wore purple surcoats embroidered with gold and animal designs. This suggests expensive equipment as purple and gold were reserved traditionally for guards and members of the nobility. Given that the largest cavalry mounts came from the east and that there were many cataphract troop types in eastern armies (Scythian, Bactrian and Parthian), it is likely that many were raised from the eastern provinces. Since the Companions also increased their armour during the reign of Antiochus III, it is also likely that Macedonian and Greek cavalry could be considered as cataphracts.

One of the better types of light cavalry were the Tarentines, who were modelled after troops raised or connected to the Greek colony of Tarentum in Italy. These were popular with many Greek and Macedonian armies and probably influenced the development of units of regular light cavalry. They may also have been used as mounted infantry or like early dragoons, who could fight mounted or on foot. This would be an ideal troop type for seizing vital ground or for internal security, where versatility was advantageous because of the varied terrain of the region. Tarentines are not mentioned after Magnesia, which may indicate that the troops were all from western areas denied to the Seleucids by the Romans. They were likely armed with javelins and shields.

In addition to the kontos armed cavalry mentioned above, the Seleucids employed a variety of light cavalry armed mainly with light spears and javelins. The first name used to identify these troops was Hippakontistai and referred to their armament of light spear or javelins. Other common names were theureophoroi and prodromoi. The first name suggests that these were shielded cavalry, which may have been introduced because of the influence of the Tarentines or other western cavalry (Galatians have also been suggested). The second name suggests that they were used as scouts or outriders. Some carried no shield and relied on speed to avoid missile fire.

Other light cavalry such as the Skythians and Iranians were armed primarily with bow. Many of the eastern opponents of the Seleucids employed large numbers of horse archers, particularly the Parthians. There is also reference made to horse archers in the Jewish campaigns; in 147 BC, Apollonios had 1000 of them in his force of 3000 cavalry. Skythians recruited from the Dahae fought at Raphia and Magnesia (1200), probably indicating that Antiochus maintained a contingent following his eastern campaigns. They were probably not used in large numbers as in the Parthian armies, but this may also be a case of their regional employment in the east of which there are fewer campaign accounts.

Argyraspides, Chalkaspides and Other Seleucids

Introduction and Capabilities
Composition and Organization
Seleucid Military Units
Cavalry
Numbers and Conclusion