

Iapygian Cavalry
The Iapygian cavalry has already proven its worth in battle against Taras.Like the Siculi tribe to the west in Sicily, Messapian warriors favoured large shields and open-faced, Illyrian style helmets, albeit with more crests and, on occasion, horns. Their weapon of choice was the spear; some Iapygian tribes, like their Illyrian ancestors, adopted the Greek style of hoplite phalanx combat, whilst others fought in a less organised style, using shorter, multi-purpose spears. Short melee weapons were also used, such as the curved 'kopis' swords and one-handed axes. Messapian warfare was a mixture of their Illyrian heritage and the influence of their Oscan neighbours. The former employed skirmishers, who were useful for raiding and piracy, while the latter wasn't able to field javelinmen and slingers in any numbers, instead relying on mounted nobles supported by their retainers. According to Herodotus, Oscan tribal cavalry was crucial in holding off Taras' invasion of Messapian and Peucetian towns in 473BC, an action which extended the conflict until 467BC. The king of Messapia later made two alliances with Athens, around 430BC and again in 418 BC, supplying the Athenians with javelinmen for the war against Syracuse.
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Unit Name Iapygian Cavalry |
Main Unit Key inv_app_cavalry |
Land Unit Key inv_app_cavalry |
Naval Unit Key pel_transport |
Soldiers 80 |
Category Cavalry |
Class Melee Cavalry |
Custom Battle Cost 670 |
Recruitment Cost 670 |
Upkeep Cost 134 |
Melee Attack 20 |
Weapon Damage 25 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_spear_cav |
├ Melee Damage Base 20 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 5 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 15 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 15 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 30 |
Melee Defence 30 |
├ Base Defence 10 |
├ Shield cavalry |
└ Shield Defence 20 |
Armour 40 |
├ Armour cloth |
├ Armour Defence 10 |
└ Shield Armour 30 |
Health 75 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_medium |
├ Man Health 40 |
├ Bonus Hit Points 10 |
├ Mount rome_horse_spear_shield_m |
├ Mount Entity rome_horse_medium |
└ Mount Health 25 |
Base Morale 40 |
Abilities
No Ability
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
- Good attack
- Average defence
- Low damage but average armour penetration
- Average morale
Requires Buildings | |
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Hoplite Barracks
(inv_gre_military_3) Level 2 ![]()
Royal Barracks
(inv_gre_military_4) Level 3 |
Faction Availability | |
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Rise of the Republic |