Definition

Proper noun A decisive military engagement in 197 BC that concluded the Second Macedonian War, resulting in a Roman victory over King Philip V of Macedon and ending Macedonian hegemony in Greece.

Usage

This term is used historically to refer to a specific, pivotal battle in antiquity. It is always capitalized as it is a proper noun naming a unique historical event.

Examples

• The Battle of Cynoscephalae demonstrated the superiority of the Roman legion's flexibility over the Macedonian phalanx.
• Historians often study the Battle of Cynoscephalae as a turning point in the spread of Roman influence eastward.
• After his defeat at the Battle of Cynoscephalae, Philip V was forced to accept Rome's terms.

Advanced Usage

• The battle is frequently cited in military history for the tactical contrast between the Roman maniple system and the Hellenistic phalanx formation.
• The phrase "the battle of Cynoscephalae" can be used metaphorically in very formal or literary contexts to signify a decisive confrontation that ends a prolonged struggle, though this is rare.

Variants and Related Words

• Cynoscephalae: The name of the hills in Thessaly, Greece, where the battle took place. This geographical term is often used synonymously with the battle itself in historical texts.
• Second Macedonian War: The broader conflict of which this battle was the concluding event.

Synonyms

• The engagement at Cynoscephalae
• The Roman victory over Philip V (197 BC)

Note: As a proper noun naming a unique event, true synonyms are limited to descriptive phrases.

Noun

1. the battle that ended the second Macedonian War (197 BC); the Romans defeated Philip V who lost his control of Greece