Axum (Imperator Augustus) Spear Infantry

Axumite Desert Spearmen

Spears in defense of a kingdom among the most solid and historically important of Africa

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.

Abilities

Axumite Desert Spearmen

• Square
  The unit moves into a close square formation.
  Bracing, morale, melee defence
  Can't move
• Shield Screen
  The unit raises their shields in a static defensive formation.
  Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Can't move
• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• 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

Transport

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

Axumite Desert Spearmen

• Good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Normal morale

Axum (Imperator Augustus) Units
General (2)
1.Aethiopian Cavalry
2.Swordsmen
Melee Infantry (12)
3.Nubian Axe Warriors
4.Desert Swordsmen
5.Desert Axemen
6.Leopard Swordsmen
7.Lion Warriors
8.Tribal Clubs
9.Mailed Swordsmen
10.Tribesmen of the Oasis of Augila
11.Meroitic Sword Infantry
12.Nubian Axe Marauders
13.Garama's Noble Guard
14.Axumite Noble Infantry
Missile Infantry (7)
15.Archers
16.Javelinmen
17.Tribal Slingers
18.Tribesmen
19.Blyemmes Bowmen
20.Meroitic Archers
21.Mauri Javelinmen
Pike Infantry (2)
22.Nubian Pikes
23.Meroitic Pikemen
Spear Infantry (10)
24.Large Shield Warriors
25.Levy Spearmen
26.Desert Spearmen
27.Kandake Royal Guard
28.Herdsmen
29.Garamantian Desert Spearmen
30.Axumite Desert Spearmen
31.Iol Spearmen
32.Garamantian Heavy Spears
33.Syrtis Chosen Spearmen
Melee Cavalry (6)
34.Desert Camel Spearmen
35.Nubian Cavalry
36.Blyemmes Noble Horsemen
37.Kandake Royal Cavalry
38.Axumite Desert Cavalry
39.Thapsus Noble Cavalry
Missile Cavalry (2)
40.Skirmisher Cavalry
41.Desert Camel Archers
Shock Cavalry (1)
42.Nubian Heavy Lancers
Chariot (1)
43.Chariot Raiders
Elephant (1)
44.African War Elephants
Fixed Artillery (3)
45.African Giant Ballista
46.African Bastion Scorpion
47.African Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (6)
48.African Bastion Ballista
49.African Ballista
50.African Scorpion
51.African Heavy Onager
52.African Bastion Onager
53.African Onager
Admiral (2)
54.Assault Hexeres - Swordsmen
55.Scorpion Trieres - Tribal Slingers
Melee Ship (3)
56.Fire Pot Dieres - Levy Spearmen
57.Assault Dieres - Levy Spearmen
58.Assault Hexeres - Large Shield Warriors
Missile Ship (6)
59.Tower Penteres - Archers
60.Missile Penteres - Archers
61.Raiding Hemiolia - Javelinmen
62.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Javelinmen
63.Scorpion Trieres - Tribal Slingers
64.Missile Trieres - Tribal Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
65.Artillery Penteres - African Ballista (Ship)
66.Artillery Penteres - African Onager (Ship)