Ardiaei Spear Infantry

Illyrian Thureos Spears

Well able to pepper a foe with javelins, these warriors can fight hand-to-hand.

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.

Abilities

Illyrian Thureos Spears

• Cavalry Counter-tactics
  Improves unit's ability to endure enemy cavalry charges for an extended time.
  Bonus vs mounted units
• Square
  The unit moves into a close square formation.
  Bracing, morale, melee defence
  Can't move

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

Illyrian Thureos Spears

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

Ardiaei Units
General (3)
1.Illyrian Cavalry
2.Illyrian Hoplites
3.Illyrian Noble Hoplites
Melee Infantry (2)
4.Illyrian Levies
5.Illyrian Raiders
Missile Infantry (2)
6.Slave Javelinmen
7.Slave Slingers
Spear Infantry (6)
8.Illyrian Hoplites
9.Illyrian Marines
10.Illyrian Noble Hoplites
11.Illyrian Spearmen
12.Illyrian Thureos Spears
13.Illyrian Tribesmen
Melee Cavalry (1)
14.Illyrian Cavalry
Fixed Artillery (1)
15.Greek Bastion Scorpion
Field Artillery (5)
16.Greek Bastion Ballista
17.Greek Ballista
18.Greek Scorpion
19.Greek Bastion Onager
20.Greek Onager
Admiral (2)
21.Scorpion Trieres - Slave Slingers
22.Assault Hexeres - Illyrian Thureos Spears
Melee Ship (7)
23.Assault Tetreres - Illyrian Marines
24.Assault Hexeres - Illyrian Marines
25.Assault Dieres - Illyrian Raiders
26.Assault Tetreres - Illyrian Spearmen
27.Assault Hexeres - Illyrian Thureos Spears
28.Fire Pot Dieres - Illyrian Tribesmen
29.Assault Dieres - Illyrian Tribesmen
Missile Ship (7)
30.Raiding Hemiolia - Slave Javelinmen
31.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Slave Javelinmen
32.Tower Penteres - Slave Slingers
33.Scorpion Penteres - Slave Slingers
34.Missile Penteres - Slave Slingers
35.Scorpion Trieres - Slave Slingers
36.Missile Trieres - Slave Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
37.Light Artillery Penteres - Greek Ballista (Ship)
38.Artillery Penteres - Greek Onager (Ship)