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HomeHome / Divide et Impera / Ardiaei / Units / Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi
Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi ArdiaeiArdiaei Melee Infantry

Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

(Illyrian Thureos Swordsmen)

These warriors are a flexible force, able to throw javelins from afar and quickly go into melee after.

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.

Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

Unit Name

Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

Main Unit Key

Ill_Thureos_Sword

Land Unit Key

Ill_Thureos_Sword

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

200

Category

Melee Infantry

Class

Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost

746

Recruitment Cost

746

Upkeep Cost

149

Missile Damage

11

├ Missile Weapon

prec1

├ Projectile

prec1

├ Missile Damage

11

├ Missile Ap Damage

0

└ Base Reload Time

10

Accuracy

5

Range

80

Reload

0

Shots Per Minute

6

Ammunition

1

Melee Attack

34

Weapon Damage

10

├ Melee Weapon

gsword2

├ Weapon Damage

10

├ Weapon Deadliness

0

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Cavalry

0

├ Bonus vs. Elephants

0

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

11

Melee Defence

71

├ Base Defence

19

├ Shield

shield5

└ Shield Defence

52

Armour

6

├ Armour

arm3

├ Armour Defence

6

└ Shield Armour

0

Health

20

├ Man Entity

medium_medium

├ Man Health

20

└ Bonus Hit Points

0

Base Morale

55

Abilities

Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi
  • Stamina (good)
    Governs how fast the unit tires and restores fatigue, and is dependent on type of unit, weight and approach to combat.
  • Throw Javelin (light)
    The unit throws its javelins towards a spot causing damage to everyone in the area of effect
    NOTE: you cannot throw javelins when you are inside a formation

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

Transport
  • Very poor hull strength
  • Very slow speed
  • Weak ramming
Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi
  • Good attack
  • Average defence
  • Average damage but low armour penetration
  • Normal morale
Requires Buildings
Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi Lv. 0 Warrior Lodge
Warrior Lodge
(rom_BARBARIAN_artisans_major_1)
Level 0
Meeting Ground
Meeting Ground
(rom_BARBARIAN_artisans_major_bronze_2)
Level 1
Proving Grounds
Proving Grounds
(rom_BARBARIAN_artisans_major_bronze_3)
Level 2
Illyrioi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi Lv. 1 Hall of Champions
Hall of Champions
(rom_BARBARIAN_artisans_major_bronze_4)
Level 3