In ancient Greece the Prodromoi were skirmisher light cavalry. The translation can best be represented by “runners-before”, or “runners ahead”. This implies that these cavalry moved before the rest of the army and can best be described as intended for scouting and screening missions.

In the Macedonian army of Philip II and Alexander the Great, the cavalry unit termed as Prodromoi are sometimes referred to as Sarissophoroi, which translates as “pikemen”, or “lancers”. This leads to the conclusion that they were armed with an uncommonly long ”xyston”. Which is believed to be as much as 14 ft long.

It is recorded that they acted as scouts reconnoitring in front of the army when it was on the march. In battle, they were used in a shock role to protect the right flank of the Companion cavalry. After the Battle of Gaugamela, the Persian light cavalry were to take over the role of scouting duties, leaving the Macedonian Prodromoi to then assume a purely battlefield role as shock cavalry.

At the Battle of Gaugamela, the Prodromoi under Aretes were responsible for finally routing the Persian left wing cavalry, winning the battle in this sector. Aretas was to replace Protomachus as the commander of the Prodromii, and at Gaugamela they were to break the Massagetae heavy cavalry, with Aretes personally killing their leader.

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Released Date: December 2025