In the Macedonian army of Philip and Alexander the Great, the hypaspists were a light elite troop.
The official name of this infantry corps of the Macedonian army is hupaspistaì tỗn hetaírôn (“the shield-bearers of the Companions”). Originally it is indeed the servants of the nobles who surround the king. After the reform of Philip II of Macedonia, the hypaspists formed a unit of about 3,000 men divided into 6 loaches (battalions). Until 330 BC. they are commanded by Nicanor, the son of Parmenion and the brother of Philotas.
Their armament is quite simple and light. It is usually a small shield, a sword and a short spear. On the battlefield their role is to serve as a link between the horsemen and the heavy infantry. So when the cavalry advances it is up to the hypaspists to occupy the ground quickly and in order. They also protect the right side of the phalanx which is an honorary position. It is among them that the royal guards are recruited and a battalion of royal hypaspists is composed by selecting men according to their size