Sparta Melee Infantry

Disciples of Ares

Conditioned from the age of seven for a life on campaign, and dedicated to full-time military training, the Spartans were exceptionally well drilled and masters of their weaponry and equipment. Anyone who lost their shield in battle was dishonoured: while cuirass and helmet were for protecting the individual, the shield was seen as protection for the entire phalanx. As such, the Spartans were a highly-disciplined and co-ordinated force, largely superior to any other on the battlefield. It was the Spartans who led the defence of the Peloponnese against the Persians in 480BC and, after two full days of battle, fought the famous last stand at Thermopylae. 300 Spartans and their Greek allies blocked the tiny pass between the cliffs and the sea, forcing the Persians to attack their deadly phalanx head on. When a Greek traitor eventually caused the Spartans to be outflanked, they fought to the very last man. The time spent defeating the Spartans was just enough for the remaining Greek allies to prepare a fleet to defeat the Persian navy decisively near the island of Salamis, ending the war.

Unit Name Disciples of Ares

Main Unit Key Spa_Assault_Infantry_Elite

Land Unit Key Spa_Assault_Infantry_Elite

Naval Unit Key greek_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 990

Recruitment Cost 990

Upkeep Cost 100

Melee Attack 42

Weapon Damage 38

├ Melee Weapon rome_kopis

├ Melee Damage Base 32

├ Melee Damage Ap 6

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 0

├ Bonus vs Elephants 0

└ Bonus vs Infantry 6

Charge Bonus 30

Melee Defence 74

├ Base Defence 48

├ Shield hoplite

└ Shield Defence 26

Armour 117

├ Armour bronze

├ Armour Defence 74

└ Shield Armour 43

Health 80

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 60

└ Bonus Hit Points 20

Base Morale 60

Abilities

• Shieldwall
  The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
  Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Limited speed
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue
• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue

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.
• 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

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

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

Requires Buildings
Lv. 1	Royal Barracks (greek_military_heavy_4) Level 3
Lv. 2	Monument of Leonidas (greek_military_heavy_5) Level 4

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Spartan Rebels Sparta Spartan Gerousia
Imperator Augustus	Spartan Rebels (Imperator Augustus)