Macedon Melee Cavalry

Aspis Companion Cavalry

The Companions are an elite force, capable of great deeds if used properly.

Macedonian Companion cavalry, known in Greek as the hetairoi, were the foremost shock troops of their age. Originally formed from the Macedonian nobility, esteemed friends and companions of their kings, these elite horsemen evolved under Philip II and Alexander the Great into a highly disciplined and formidable force with the adoption of the wedge formation that increased not only their manoeuvrability, but also their impact. Eventually their numbers were extended to include not just nobles, but in fact anyone who had been a friend to the king. Early Greek cavalry had been limited to skirmishing scouts and archers, as square formations of heavy cavalry up until this point were difficult to direct and wheel. However, the adoption of the wedge formation enabled the companions to exploit weak points or break the flanks of enemy infantry with precision. To achieve this they were armed with the 'xyston', a fearsome double-ended lance, designed to counter-balance itself and be reversible should one end break, plus a straight sword or curved kopis for close-quarters fighting. Armour took the form of a shaped bronze corselet, with optional greaves, and an open Boeotian helmet, which afforded some protection without hampering vision. The horse itself was unarmoured. The rider sat on a blanket, as neither saddle nor stirrups were used at this time.

Abilities

Aspis Companion Cavalry

• Diamond
  The unit moves into a diamond-shaped attack formation.
  Charge bonus, melee attack
  Acceleration, melee defence

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• 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

Aspis Companion Cavalry

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Good morale

Macedon Units
General (8)
1.Companion Cavalry
2.Foot Companions
3.Royal Peltasts
4.Shield Bearers
5.Archaic Panoplia Hoplites
6.Alexander's Pride
7.Macedonian Royal Horse Guard
8.Macedonian Royal Guard
Melee Infantry (11)
9.Mob
10.Royal Peltasts
11.Thorax Swordsmen
12.Xiphos Of Macedon
13.Thureos Swordsmen
14.Macedonian Infantry
15.Macedonian Heavy Infantry
16.Agrianian Swordsmen
17.Macedonian Holy Band
18.Royal Companions
19.Macedonian Royal Guard
Missile Infantry (6)
20.Agrianian Axemen
21.Archers
22.Javelinmen
23.Light Peltasts
24.Peltasts
25.Slingers
Pike Infantry (5)
26.Foot Companions
27.Levy Pikemen
28.Pikemen
29.Thorax Pikemen
30.Royal Foot Companions
Spear Infantry (9)
31.Hoplites
32.Militia Hoplites
33.Shield Bearers
34.Thureos Spears
35.Archaic Panoplia Hoplites
36.Spears Of Macedon
37.Thorax Spearmen
38.Macedonian Royal Spearmen
39.Macedonian Hoplites
Melee Cavalry (4)
40.Aspis Companion Cavalry
41.Citizen Cavalry
42.Alexander's Pride
43.Macedonian Royal Horse Guard
Missile Cavalry (2)
44.Skirmisher Cavalry
45.Tarantine Cavalry
Shock Cavalry (3)
46.Companion Cavalry
47.Sarissa Cavalry
48.Thessalian Cavalry
Fixed Artillery (4)
49.Greek Giant Ballista
50.Greek Polybolos
51.Greek Bastion Scorpion
52.Greek Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (7)
53.Greek Bastion Ballista
54.Greek Ballista
55.Greek Beehive Onager
56.Greek Scorpion
57.Greek Heavy Onager
58.Greek Bastion Onager
59.Greek Onager
Admiral (3)
60.Tower Penteres - Archers
61.Heavy Tower Hepteres - Archers
62.Assault Hexeres - Royal Peltasts
Melee Ship (6)
63.Fire Pot Dieres - Light Peltasts
64.Assault Dieres - Light Peltasts
65.Fire Pot Dieres - Militia Hoplites
66.Assault Dieres - Militia Hoplites
67.Assault Hexeres - Royal Peltasts
68.Assault Tetreres - Thureos Spears
Missile Ship (9)
69.Scorpion Penteres - Archers
70.Tower Penteres - Archers
71.Missile Penteres - Archers
72.Heavy Tower Hepteres - Archers
73.Missile Hepteres - Archers
74.Raiding Hemiolia - Javelinmen
75.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Javelinmen
76.Scorpion Trieres - Slingers
77.Missile Trieres - Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
78.Light Artillery Penteres - Greek Ballista (Ship)
79.Artillery Penteres - Greek Onager (Ship)