Understanding the Role of a Taxiarch in Ancient Greek Armies

Taxiarch (ταξιάρχης) is a Greek word that means "leader of the taxi", which is an ancient unit of infantry in the Greek and Roman armies. The taxi was a subunit of the larger phalanx formation, consisting of about 256 soldiers arranged in 16 rows of 16 men each.

The taxiarch was responsible for leading his taxi into battle and coordinating its movements with those of the other taxes and the rest of the army. He was also responsible for training and drilling his men, as well as maintaining discipline and order within the unit.

In modern Greek, the word "taxiarch" is used as a military rank, equivalent to a captain or a lieutenant. It is also used as an honorific title for distinguished soldiers or military leaders.