Steele Brand

Given that Alexander has got to come to Italy and fight in the mountains and the plains of Italy, this is where Rome always prioritizes heavy infantry.

Their legionaries become the best infantry soldiers on the planet.

This is where I actually think Rome's going to give them a run for their money.

When they approach a Macedonian army, they hurl javelins.

And then when they get close, they rely on individual combat.

So when they approach any force, it's we're fighting as a unit and we still have their units.

But when shield meets shield and pike meets...

Gladius.

And by this point in time, they're probably using something like the straight sword, but it's not the Spanish sword.

But we're going to have a really tough fight between these two guys.

And infantry, like phalanx versus legionary, they are draws on balance until we get to the second century.

And this is where the Romans are victorious.

And the reason they get victorious twice in the second century, the battle of Cynoscephala and the battle of Pydna,

is that phalanx cannot handle holding its body together.

And when you put an individual legionary versus an individual phalangite, it's no contest.

The legionary always wins because he can fight as an individual, which again is very Republican.

So I would say in terms of heavy infantry, I'd give a slight advantage to Rome.

But that means I think on balance, in terms of tactics and technology, the Macedonians have the advantage when it comes to overall capability.

I agree with that.

I would have to concede that the Macedonian army, because they also have that flexible unit, those flexible units that you just described, I think they're going to win...