From Balkan Tribes to Macedonian Victories: The Balkan Backbone Elite Infantry of Alexander's Campaigns

The end of the classical era in Ancient Greece with the death of Alexander the Great found the Macedonian Empire stretching from the banks of the Danube and Egypt to Sogdiana in present-day Uzbekistan and the Hyphasis River in India. Among the troops that contributed to the creation of this vast empire were those of the Agrianes.

Every campaign Alexander the Great launched included these elite light infantry warriors. The missions they undertook went beyond significant and undoubtedly great battles for the overthrow of the Persian Empire. They also involved numerous perilous ventures against various formidable adversaries, fortified cities, and various hardships in inhospitable lands, all of which always ended in success for the Greek forces.

The Agrianes, belonging to one of the many tribes in the Balkans, were mainly settled in the region where the sources of the Struma River emerge, in present-day Bulgaria. They served in the ranks of the Macedonian Army as peltasts, meaning light infantry. They were usually positioned alongside the cavalry of the companions to cover the right wing of the army in battle, a prominent position. Their expertise and necessity became apparent in missions that required swift movement on uneven terrain. Armed with javelins, swords, and light shields, usually in the form of a pelta, and without heavy armor, while some wore helmets of the Phrygian type, they easily and disciplinedly maneuvered to disengage from close combat.

In the first mention by Arrian, we find them in operations in 335 B.C. against the tribes of the Triballi and other Thracians, led by their beloved and loyal leader Langaros, appointed by Alexander. These tribes lived in the Aimos mountain range and posed a potential threat to the Macedonian kingdom in the subsequent campaign in Asia. Their forces, forming a strong number of warriors, had occupied the narrow passage of an uphill ascent where Alexander's army would pass through. At that point, they gathered rocks and placed them in front of them, intending to use them as a defensive position. Simultaneously, they planned to let them fall onto the phalanx of the Macedonians, which, being dense in formation, would suffer more losses and confusion when struck. King Alexander ordered his men each time the Triballi dropped the rocks from above to loosen their formation—to thin out sideways—and simultaneously lift their shields, pressed against each other, to avoid any losses. After successfully overcoming this difficulty, Alexander launched his attack.

Alongside the Agrianes, the royal guard, and the shield-bearers, who formed the left wing,. This agile group left little room for the opponents, who quickly retreated in dismay. The retreating Thracians, pursued by the Agrianes into dense vegetation, left behind about 1,500 dead. The exceptional performance of the Agrianes is evident from the fact that King Langaros was honored grandly and with rich gifts by Alexander, who also promised to marry him to his sister Kyna when he came to Pella. However, on his return, Langaros fell ill and eventually died.

The next opponent was the Illyrian tribe of the Taulantii. During the siege of Pellion, a detachment under Philotas was sent to explore the surrounding area and find food and supplies. However, the detachment was blocked by a large enemy force under Glaucias, which had occupied all the surrounding heights. Alexander personally took on the task of rescuing the detachment, bringing with him the shield-bearers, the archers, the Agrianes, and about 400 cavalry. The selection was characterized by the need for agility in light troops, hence the participation of the Agrianes. The arrival of the Macedonian force alone forced the Taulantii to retreat. In the subsequent movements during the crossing of a similar river, again with a force of about 2,000 men, including Agrianes, archers, and cavalry, he once again forced the opponents to flee.

After three days, Alexander found a new opportunity. The Taulantii had chosen an imprudent location in the open for their camp. And while it was still night, Alexander decided to execute a reconnaissance movement: to cross the river without being noticed, taking with him the shield-bearers, the Agrianes, and the archers, as well as the units of Perdiccas and Coenus. The initial plan was for the rest of the army to follow, but based on adaptability, when he saw that the circumstances favored an attack without waiting for all his forces to gather, he unleashed the archers and the Agrianes. There was a "terrible slaughter," according to Arrian, and panic followed. Some were killed while still in their beds, others were easily captured due to the shock of the unexpected attack, and many lost their lives during the disorderly retreat, bringing an end to the Balkan campaign. In this campaign, the Agrianes fought on familiar ground and contributed significantly, decisively aiding in the defeat of both adversaries and earning a promising "baptism of fire.""

Author: Konstantinos Chalastras