1 maccabees 6:38 - (and the residue of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army), striking terror into the enemy, and protected by the phalanxes.
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What does "1 maccabees 6:38" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 6:38 describes a tactical maneuver during a battle. Let's break it down:
"(and the residue of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army)": This refers to a contingent of cavalry (horsemen) being positioned on both flanks (sides) of the main infantry formation. "Residue" suggests this wasn't the entirety of the cavalry, perhaps some had been deployed elsewhere already.
"striking terror into the enemy": The purpose of this positioning was to intimidate and scare the opposing forces. The sight of cavalry, with their speed and maneuverability, flanking the army could cause fear and disruption.
"and protected by the phalanxes": This indicates that the cavalry was shielded by the infantry formations (phalanxes). The phalanxes were a dense, tightly packed formation of soldiers with overlapping shields and long spears, offering a strong defensive front. The cavalry could maneuver around the flanks, protected by the phalanx's solid line.
In essence, the verse describes a strategic deployment aimed at both offense and defense:
Offense: The cavalry's presence on the flanks aimed to demoralize and potentially outflank the enemy.
Defense: The infantry phalanxes protected the cavalry from being easily attacked, allowing them to perform their flanking maneuvers.
This tactic combines the strengths of both infantry and cavalry, creating a more versatile and effective fighting force. It suggests a level of tactical awareness on the part of the commander.
1 maccabees 6:38 - (and the residue of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army), striking terror into the enemy, and protected by the phalanxes.
What does "1 maccabees 6:38" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 6:38 describes a tactical maneuver during a battle. Let's break it down:
"(and the residue of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army)": This refers to a contingent of cavalry (horsemen) being positioned on both flanks (sides) of the main infantry formation. "Residue" suggests this wasn't the entirety of the cavalry, perhaps some had been deployed elsewhere already.
"striking terror into the enemy": The purpose of this positioning was to intimidate and scare the opposing forces. The sight of cavalry, with their speed and maneuverability, flanking the army could cause fear and disruption.
"and protected by the phalanxes": This indicates that the cavalry was shielded by the infantry formations (phalanxes). The phalanxes were a dense, tightly packed formation of soldiers with overlapping shields and long spears, offering a strong defensive front. The cavalry could maneuver around the flanks, protected by the phalanx's solid line.
In essence, the verse describes a strategic deployment aimed at both offense and defense:
Offense: The cavalry's presence on the flanks aimed to demoralize and potentially outflank the enemy.
Defense: The infantry phalanxes protected the cavalry from being easily attacked, allowing them to perform their flanking maneuvers.
This tactic combines the strengths of both infantry and cavalry, creating a more versatile and effective fighting force. It suggests a level of tactical awareness on the part of the commander.