Ancient Military Maneuvers List
| Ancient Military Maneuvers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Various | Various | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Various | Various | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Various | Various | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Various | Various | ||||||
Ancient military maneuvers are the deployment, formation, and movement of military forces in combat. They are often used to gain an advantage over the enemy, exploit their weaknesses, or surprise them with unexpected actions. Ancient military maneuvers have been practiced by various civilizations and cultures throughout history, such as the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians, the Chinese, the Indians, and others. Some of the most common and effective ancient military maneuvers are listed below.
Penetration of the center edit
[[File:Siege-alesia-vercingetorix-jules-cesar.jpg|thumb|300px|The Siege of Alesia, where Julius Caesar attacked from a defensive position]]
The penetration of the center is a maneuver that involves exploiting a gap in the enemy line to drive directly to the enemy's command or base. This can cause the enemy to panic, lose cohesion, or retreat. Two ways of accomplishing this are separating enemy forces then using a reserve to exploit the gap (e.g. Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC)), or having fast, elite forces smash at a weak spot (or an area where your elites are at their best in striking power) and using reserves to hold the line while the elite forces continue forward, exploiting the gap immediately (i.e., blitzkrieg). A famous example of this maneuver is the Battle of Issus, where Alexander the Great broke through the center of the Persian army and pursued Darius III, forcing him to flee and abandon his army. [^1^][1]
Attack from a defensive position edit
The attack from a defensive position is a maneuver that involves establishing a strong defensive position from which to defend and attack your opponent. This can allow the attacker to conserve their strength, lure the enemy into a trap, or inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. However, the defensive can become too passive and result in ultimate defeat. A famous example of this maneuver is the Siege of Alesia, where Julius Caesar built a double line of fortifications around the town of Alesia, where the Gauls under Vercingetorix were besieged. Caesar then repelled the attacks of the Gauls inside and outside the town, and eventually forced them to surrender. [^2^][2]
Single envelopment edit
The single envelopment is a maneuver that involves a consolidated prong (flank) beating its opponent opposite end, and with the aid of holding attacks, attack an opponent in the rear. This can cause the enemy to be surrounded, outflanked, or cut off from their lines of communication. Sometimes, the establishment of a strong, hidden force behind a weak flank will prevent your opponent from carrying out their own single envelopment. A famous example of this maneuver is the Battle of Rocroi, where the French under the Duke of Enghien attacked the right flank of the Spanish army, while holding the center and left flank with infantry and artillery. The French then broke through the Spanish flank and attacked them from the rear, causing them to collapse and retreat. [^3^][3]
Double envelopment edit
The double envelopment is a maneuver that involves attacking both flanks of the enemy simultaneously, while holding the center with a weaker force. This can cause the enemy to be encircled, isolated, or annihilated. This maneuver requires a high degree of coordination, timing, and numerical superiority. A famous example of this maneuver is the Battle of Cannae, where Hannibal used his Numidian cavalry to attack the Roman cavalry on both wings, while his Carthaginian and allied infantry held the center with a convex formation. The Romans, who had a larger army, advanced into the center, but were gradually pushed back by the Carthaginians, who then formed a concave formation. The Numidian cavalry then returned from chasing the Roman cavalry and attacked the Roman rear, completing the encirclement. The Romans were then massacred by the Carthaginians, losing about 50,000 men. [^4^][4]
Feigned retreat edit
The feigned retreat is a maneuver that involves pretending to flee or withdraw from the enemy, in order to lure them into a trap, expose their weaknesses, or break their formation. This can cause the enemy to pursue recklessly, lose discipline, or fall into an ambush. This maneuver requires a high degree of deception, discipline, and mobility. The earliest known use of this maneuver is the Battle of Maling, where the Qi general Tian Ji used his chariots to feign a retreat, and then turned around and attacked the pursuing Wei army, causing them to panic and flee. A famous example of this maneuver is the Battle of Hastings, where the Normans under William the Conqueror repeatedly feigned retreats to draw out the English army from their defensive position on a hill, and then attacked them with cavalry and archers, causing them to lose cohesion and morale. The Normans then killed the English king Harold Godwinson and won the battle.
Pincer movement edit
The pincer movement is a maneuver that involves attacking the enemy from two or more directions, usually from the front and the sides. This can cause the enemy to be squeezed, divided, or overwhelmed. This maneuver requires a high degree of coordination, speed, and surprise. A famous example of this maneuver is the Battle of Gaugamela, where Alexander the Great used his cavalry to attack the flanks of the Persian army, while his infantry held the center. The Persians, who had a much larger army, were unable to use their numerical advantage, and were forced to fight on multiple fronts. The Persian king Darius III then fled the battlefield, leaving his army to be routed by the Macedonians.
Hammer and anvil edit
The hammer and anvil is a maneuver that involves pinning the enemy in place with a strong force (the anvil), and then striking them with another force (the hammer). This can cause the enemy to be crushed, broken, or dispersed. This maneuver requires a high degree of cooperation, timing, and power. A famous example of this maneuver is the Battle of Plataea, where the Greeks under Pausanias and Aristides used their heavy infantry (hoplites) to hold the center against the Persian army, while their light infantry and cavalry attacked the Persian flanks and rear. The Persians, who had a more diverse but less disciplined army, were unable to break through the Greek line, and were then attacked from behind by the Greek hammer. The Persians then fled the battlefield, ending the Greco-Persian Wars.
Flanking maneuver edit
The flanking maneuver is a maneuver that involves attacking the enemy from the side or the rear, rather than from the front. This can cause the enemy to be outflanked, surprised, or exposed. This maneuver requires a high degree of mobility, stealth, and initiative. A famous example of this maneuver is the Battle of Leuctra, where the Thebans under Epaminondas used a novel formation to attack the right flank of the Spartans, while avoiding their left flank. The Thebans, who had a smaller but more cohesive army, concentrated their forces on a narrow front