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Thorax Swordsmen AthensAthens Melee Infantry

Thorax Swordsmen

These well-protected warriors are a danger, both in melee and with their javelins.

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.

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Thorax Swordsmen

Unit Name

Thorax Swordsmen

Main Unit Key

Gre_Thorax_Sword

Land Unit Key

Gre_Thorax_Sword

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

160

Category

Melee Infantry

Class

Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost

710

Recruitment Cost

710

Upkeep Cost

120

Missile Damage

32

├ Missile Weapon

rome_javelin_precursor

├ Projectile

javelin_prec

├ Missile Damage

20

├ Missile Ap Damage

12

└ Base Reload Time

15

Accuracy

5

Range

40

Reload

0

Shots Per Minute

4

Ammunition

2

Melee Attack

38

Weapon Damage

34

├ Melee Weapon

rome_celtic_hellenic_sword

├ Melee Damage Base

30

├ Melee Damage Ap

4

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Large

0

├ Bonus vs Elephants

0

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

18

Melee Defence

57

├ Base Defence

32

├ Shield

thureos

└ Shield Defence

25

Armour

75

├ Armour

mail

├ Armour Defence

40

└ Shield Armour

35

Health

60

├ Man Entity

rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health

45

└ Bonus Hit Points

15

Base Morale

55

Abilities

Thorax Swordsmen
  • Shieldwall
    The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
    Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
    Limited speed

Attributes

  • Disciplined
    This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
  • Formation Attack
    The unit will try to stay in formation when in melee.
  • 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
Thorax Swordsmen
  • Good attack
  • Average defence
  • Average damage but low armour penetration
  • Normal morale
Requires Buildings
Thorax Swordsmen Lv. 0 Hoplite Barracks
Hoplite Barracks
(greek_military_heavy_3)
Level 2
Royal Barracks
Royal Barracks
(greek_military_heavy_4)
Level 3