Gaetuli (Hannibal at the Gates) Spear Infantry

Spears of Cirta

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 Spears of Cirta

Main Unit Key Num_Spear4

Land Unit Key Num_Spear4

Naval Unit Key egyptian_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Spear Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 880

Recruitment Cost 880

Upkeep Cost 90

Melee Attack 30

Weapon Damage 29

├ Melee Weapon rome_spear_anti_cav

├ Melee Damage Base 19

├ Melee Damage Ap 10

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 23

├ Bonus vs Elephants 26

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 30

Melee Defence 90

├ Base Defence 55

├ Shield thureos

└ Shield Defence 35

Armour 92

├ Armour scale

├ Armour Defence 57

└ Shield Armour 35

Health 80

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy_fast

├ Man Health 60

└ Bonus Hit Points 20

Base Morale 60

Abilities

• Square
  The unit moves into a close square formation.
  Bracing, morale, melee defence
  Can't move
• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue
• Cavalry Counter-tactics
  Improves unit's ability to endure enemy cavalry charges for an extended time.
  Bonus vs mounted units
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• 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

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

Requires Buildings
Lv. 1	Slave Auctioneer (east_city_centre_slave_3) Level 2 Royal Karka (east_city_royal_4) Level 3 Royal Barracks (east_military_infantry_4) Level 3
Lv. 0	Infantry Quarters (east_military_infantry_3) Level 2

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Gaetuli Masaesyli
Hannibal at the Gates	Gaetuli (Hannibal at the Gates) Masaesyli (Hannibal at the Gates) Massyli (Hannibal at the Gates)