Levy Thureos Spears

Recruitment Cost 340
Upkeep Cost 90
Melee Attack 19
Weapon Damage 25
Bonus vs. Large 20
Charge Bonus 21
Melee Defence 47
Armour 45
Health 50
Base Morale 40
Strengths & Weaknesses
  • Average defensive unit
  • Low damage but average armour penetration
  • Weak attack
  • Poor morale
Description

Light Greek infantry, the thureophoroi developed around the early 4th century BC, and straddled the gap between the phalanx and the skirmishing peltasts. Named after the thureos, their large oval shields, they were more heavily armoured than the traditional Thracian and Greek peltast. Able to both skirmish and form up as a phalanx, they were used to guard the flanks and protect other light troops. Their shield, normally made from wood and covered with leather, had a central handgrip that was protected by a vertical spine and a metal boss-like strip, and may have been inspired by Celtic or Roman shields of the time. Like the longer sarissa, the spears used by the thureophoroi had a weighted butt-spike to provide balance, but this also allowed them to throw javelins, if so equipped, by jamming their spears into the ground. Able to fulfil a variety of roles, thureophoroi were common amongst both citizen and mercenary units of the Greek city-states until they were eclipsed by the Macedonian phalanxes of Phillip II and Alexander the Great.

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