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Symmachoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi SpartaSparta Melee Infantry

Symmachoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

(Allied Thureos Swordsmen)

While Spartan citizens practice almost exclusively hoplite warfare, the same cannot be said about their subject states. These troops are recruited from allies and mercenaries of the Spartan kingdom, fighting in the fashion of other Hellenic swordsmen.

The thureos, a large oval-shaped shield, became common throughout the Hellenistic world from the 3rd century BC. Made from wood covered in hide, it differed from the earlier Greek hoplon in having a central handgrip, which was protected by a vertical spine running the length of the shield. This in turn could be further reinforced by the addition of a wide metal strip that protected the grip and the user’s hand. Inspired by the sub-rectangular and oval shields of the Celts, possibly through contact with the migrating Galatians, its usage seems to have spread through the Illyrian and Thracian tribes before it was adopted by the Greeks. Although large, the thureos was light in comparison to the traditional hoplon, and was adopted by heavily-armoured peltasts. Named after their shields, 'thureophoroi' could fight as common peltasts, skirmishing with javelins, but could also form up with their larger shields and longer spears in a similar fashion to a phalanx. The versatile and useful design of the thureos meant it was used by many armies, including the auxiliaries and cavalry of the later Roman Legions.

Symmachoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

Unit Name

Symmachoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

Main Unit Key

Gre_Perioikoi_Sword

Land Unit Key

Gre_Perioikoi_Sword

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

300

Category

Melee Infantry

Class

Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost

718

Recruitment Cost

718

Upkeep Cost

144

Melee Attack

32

Weapon Damage

10

├ Melee Weapon

gsword2

├ Weapon Damage

10

├ Weapon Deadliness

0

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Cavalry

0

├ Bonus vs. Elephants

0

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

12

Melee Defence

69

├ Base Defence

17

├ Shield

shield5

└ Shield Defence

52

Armour

6

├ Armour

arm3

├ Armour Defence

6

└ Shield Armour

0

Health

20

├ Man Entity

medium_medium

├ Man Health

20

└ Bonus Hit Points

0

Base Morale

55

Abilities

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

Attributes

  • 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
Symmachoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi
  • Good attack
  • Average defence
  • Average damage but low armour penetration
  • Normal morale
Requires Buildings
Symmachoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi Lv. 0 Monument of Leonidas
Monument of Leonidas
(rom_HELLENIC_military_buff_Hero-Shrine_5)
Level 4
Muster Field
Muster Field
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_1)
Level 0
Holosideros Barracks
Holosideros Barracks
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_heavy_2)
Level 1
Hoplite Barracks
Hoplite Barracks
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_heavy_3)
Level 2
Symmachoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi Lv. 1 Royal Barracks
Royal Barracks
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_heavy_4)
Level 3
Royal Barracks
Royal Barracks
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_heavy_4)
Level 3
Faction Availability
Grand Campaign
Imperator Augustus
Macedonian Wars