Media Melee Infantry

Thorax 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 Thorax Swordsmen

Main Unit Key Gre_Thorax_Sword

Land Unit Key Gre_Thorax_Sword

Naval Unit Key greek_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 600

Recruitment Cost 600

Upkeep Cost 85

Missile Damage 34

├ Missile Weapon rome_javelin_precursor

├ Projectile javelin_prec

├ Missile Damage 19

├ Missile Ap Damage 15

└ Base Reload Time 40

Accuracy 5

Range 40

Reload 0

Shots Per Minute 2

Ammunition 2

Melee Attack 28

Weapon Damage 36

├ Melee Weapon rome_celtic_hellenic_sword

├ Melee Damage Base 32

├ Melee Damage Ap 4

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 0

├ Bonus vs Elephants 0

└ Bonus vs Infantry 5

Charge Bonus 28

Melee Defence 76

├ Base Defence 41

├ Shield thureos

└ Shield Defence 35

Armour 92

├ Armour mail

├ Armour Defence 57

└ Shield Armour 35

Health 75

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 60

└ Bonus Hit Points 15

Base Morale 55

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

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• 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

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

Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Infantry Tents (east_military_infantry_2) Level 1 Infantry Quarters (east_military_infantry_3) Level 2
Lv. 1	Royal Barracks (east_military_infantry_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Athens Athenian Boule Syracuse Syracusan Nobles Baktria Baktrian Nobles Knossos Rhodos Trapezos Macedon Macedonian Nobles Massilia Massilian Nobles Egypt Egyptian Nobles Egyptian Rebels Cyprus Seleucid Seleucid Nobles Arachosia Aria Drangiana Media Parthava Persia Sagartia Sardes
Samnite Wars	Greek Cities (Samnite Wars)
Caesar in Gaul	Massilia (Caesar in Gaul)
Hannibal at the Gates	Syracuse (Hannibal at the Gates) Syracusan Nobles (Hannibal at the Gates) Emporion (Hannibal at the Gates) Massilia (Hannibal at the Gates)
Imperator Augustus	Judea (Imperator Augustus) Egypt (Imperator Augustus) Egyptian Nobles (Imperator Augustus) Egyptian Rebels (Imperator Augustus)