Parthian Secessionists Melee Infantry

Parthian Swordsmen

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.

Unit Name Parthian Swordsmen

Main Unit Key Eas_Par_Sword

Land Unit Key Eas_Par_Sword

Naval Unit Key pel_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 730

Recruitment Cost 730

Upkeep Cost 130

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 36

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 19

Melee Defence 59

├ Base Defence 34

├ Shield thureos

└ Shield Defence 25

Armour 75

├ Armour mail

├ Armour Defence 40

└ Shield Armour 35

Health 55

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_heavy_fast

├ Man Health 40

└ Bonus Hit Points 15

Base Morale 60

Abilities

• 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.
• Resistant to Heat
  This unit tires less quickly in the desert.

Strengths & Weaknesses

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

• Good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Normal morale

Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Infantry Quarters (east_military_infantry_3) Level 2 Royal Barracks (east_military_infantry_4) Level 3

Garrison Buildings
x 1	Infantry Quarters (east_military_infantry_3) Level 2
x 2	Royal Barracks (east_military_infantry_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Parthia Parthian Nobles Parthian Secessionists
Imperator Augustus	Parthia (Imperator Augustus) Parthian Nobles (Imperator Augustus) Parthian Secessionists (Imperator Augustus)