Rodos (Macedonian Wars) Spear Infantry

Philioi Thureophoroi

(Dorian Thureos Spears)

The Thureophoroi are gradually becoming the most frequently used military unit in Hellenistic armies. The Dorians of Doris, a coastal region of Asia Minor, are no exception to that trend. They are related to the Rhodians and sometimes under Rhodian dominance, therefore they are recruited as an necessary addition for the Rhodian army, in order to keep pace in the new military environment.

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.

Abilities

Philioi Thureophoroi

• Stamina (good)
  Governs how fast the unit tires and restores fatigue, and is dependent on type of unit, weight and approach to combat.

Attributes

• Expert Charge Defence
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport

• Very poor hull strength
• Very slow speed
• Weak ramming

Philioi Thureophoroi

• Good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Normal morale

Rodos (Macedonian Wars) Units
General (1)
1.Epilektoi Hoplitai
Melee Infantry (17)
2.Cladio Argos
3.Catuiros Calgo
4.Curoas
5.Kares Pezoi
6.Skiritai Machairaphoroi
7.Agrianoi Pelekophoroi
8.Cordinau Orca
9.Thrakioi Pezoi
10.Local Armed Townsfolk
11.Local Townsfolk
12.Greek Citizens
13.Local Citizens
14.Machairaphoroi
15.Okhlos
16.Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi
17.Supply Crew
18.Rhodioi Epibatoi
Missile Infantry (15)
19.Mysoi Sphendonetai
20.Kretai Toxotai
21.Skiritai Peltastai
22.Agrianoi Peltastai
23.Thrakioi Peltastai
24.Local Bowmen
25.Local Archers
26.Greek Archers
27.Local Slingers
28.Psiloi Toxotai
29.Psiloi Akontistai
30.Euzonoi
31.Peltastai
32.Rhodioi Sphendonetai
33.Psiloi Sphendonetai
Hoplite/Pike Infantry (17)
34.Erin-mesh Uriki
35.Ephesoi Phalangitai
36.Athenai Hoplitai
37.Korinthoi Epistratoi Hoplitai
38.Korinthoi Ekdromoi Hoplitai
39.Spartiatai Hoplitai
40.Thessalikoi Epistratoi Hoplitai
41.Thessalikoi Ekdromoi Hoplitai
42.Macedonikoi Phalangitai
43.Greek Militia
44.Greek Hoplites
45.Politai Hoplitai
46.Epilektoi Hoplitai
47.Ekdromoi Hoplitai
48.Epistratoi Hoplitai
49.Phalangitai
50.Rhodioi Epilektoi
Spear Infantry (12)
51.Galatai Lugoae
52.Phrygioi Pantodapoi
53.Kretai Haploi
54.Korinthoi Thureophoroi
55.Thessalikoi Thureophoroi
56.Rhodioi Hoplitai
57.Local Tribesmen
58.Local Militia
59.Local Town Guard
60.Thureophoroi Hoplitai
61.Thureophoroi
62.Philioi Thureophoroi
Melee Cavalry (4)
63.Galatai Epos
64.Greek Cavalry
65.Hippeis
66.Baggage Train
Missile Cavalry (3)
67.Hippakontistai
68.Tarantinoi Hippeis
69.Thureophoroi Hippeis
Shock Cavalry (2)
70.Hippeis Thessalikoi
71.Xystophoroi
Fixed Artillery (3)
72.Polybolos
73.Oxybeles (Fixed)
74.Oxybeles (Bastion)
Field Artillery (3)
75.Lithobolos
76.Lithobolos (Bastion)
77.Oxybeles
Special (1)
78.Molossoi Kyon
Admiral (2)
79.Scorpion Trieres - Epibatoi Toxotai
80.Tower Penteres - Epibatoi
Melee Ship (7)
81.Assault Dieres - Rhodioi Epibatoi
82.Tower Penteres - Rhodioi Epibatoi
83.Assault Tetreres - Rhodioi Epibatoi
84.Trieres - Rhodioi Epibatoi
85.Fire Pot Dieres - Rhodioi Epibatoi
86.Penteres - Rhodioi Sphendonetai
87.Trieres - Rhodioi Sphendonetai
Missile Ship (5)
88.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Epibatoi Toxotai
89.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Rhodioi Sphendonetai
90.Raiding Hemiolia - Epibatoi Toxotai
91.Raiding Hemiolia - Rhodioi Sphendonetai
92.Scorpion Trieres - Epibatoi Toxotai
Artillery Ship (1)
93.Light Artillery Penteres - Lithobolos (Ship)
Transport Ship (1)
94.Supply Ship - Supply Crew