Battle of Cynoscephalae — Rome Defeats the Macedonian Phalanx
The Second Macedonian War (200-197 BCE) was declared by Rome after Philip V allied with the Seleucid king Antiochus III and moved against Greek cities friendly to Rome. Flamininus was given command and proved an exceptional general and diplomat. The decisive engagement on 26 June 197 BCE illustrated perfectly why the Roman manipular system outfought the phalanx in uneven terrain. Philip arrayed his phalanx on a ridge at Cynoscephalae (Dog's Heads) in Thessaly. One half became disordered while descending the slope; the other half had not yet come into position. Flamininus held his right, where he was losing, and pressed his left where the disordered Macedonian right was vulnerable. A quick-thinking military tribune took twenty maniples (about 2,000 men) and wheeled them against the rear of the already-advancing Macedonian left. Caught between front and rear, the phalanx disintegrated. Perhaps 8,000 Macedonians were killed. Flamininus then proclaimed all Greek city-states free from foreign domination at the Isthmian Games of 196 BCE — to scenes of euphoric celebration. The proclamation was primarily a political tool to prevent Antiochus III from filling the vacuum, but Greeks took it at face value.
- Year: 197 BCE
- Category: Military
