Ardhan Pike Infantry

Persian-Hellenic Pikemen

These native Easterners have been trained as the Hellenic pikemen have.

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

Persian-Hellenic Pikemen

• Pike Phalanx
  The unit moves into a deep, close defensive formation.
  Bonus vs cavalry, bracing.
  Limited speed
• Steady
  Improves the unit's ability to endure enemy charges.
  Armour, melee defence
  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.
• Resistant to Heat
  This unit tires less quickly in the desert.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport

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

Persian-Hellenic Pikemen

• Good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Normal morale
• Very vulnerable when not in phalanx

Ardhan Units
General (5)
1.Axemen
2.Noble Blood Cavalry
3.Artacoanian Noble Sparabara
4.Colchis Heavy Spearmen
5.Carmanian Camel Cataphracts
Melee Infantry (13)
6.Axemen
7.Hillmen
8.Kartli Axemen
9.Mob
10.Desert Swordsmen
11.Sughdian Warriors
12.Hellenic Infantry
13.Phrygian Infantry
14.Phrada Sword Infantry
15.Gor Light Swordsmen
16.Hyrcanian Noble Swordsmen
17.Gazaca's Sword Infantry
18.Artacoanian Noble Sparabara
Missile Infantry (8)
19.Eastern Archers
20.Eastern Javelinmen
21.Eastern Slingers
22.Immortals
23.Sparabara
24.Takabara
25.Gedrosian Desert Archers
26.Colchis Slingers
Pike Infantry (1)
27.Persian-Hellenic Pikemen
Spear Infantry (9)
28.Noble Spearmen
29.Eastern Spearmen
30.Desert Spearmen
31.Babylonian Spearmen
32.Colchis Light Spearmen
33.Indo - Persian Spearmen
34.Persian Sparabara
35.Colchis Heavy Spearmen
36.Alexandria Arachosia Guard
Melee Cavalry (5)
37.Noble Blood Cavalry
38.Desert Camel Spearmen
39.Barcanian Horsemen
40.Noble Mounted Axemen
41.Carmanian Camel Cataphracts
Missile Cavalry (4)
42.Horse Archers
43.Horse Skirmishers
44.Desert Camel Archers
45.Bam's Mounted Archers
Shock Cavalry (1)
46.Median Cataphracts
Chariot (1)
47.Persian Scythed Chariots
Fixed Artillery (3)
48.Eastern Giant Ballista
49.Eastern Bastion Scorpion
50.Eastern Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (6)
51.Eastern Bastion Ballista
52.Eastern Ballista
53.Eastern Scorpion
54.Eastern Large Onager
55.Eastern Bastion Onager
56.Eastern Onager
Admiral (2)
57.Scorpion Penteres - Eastern Archers
58.Light Artillery Penteres - Eastern Ballista (Ship)
Melee Ship (3)
59.Assault Tetreres - Kartli Axemen
60.Fire Pot Dieres - Eastern Spearmen
61.Assault Dieres - Eastern Spearmen
Missile Ship (7)
62.Scorpion Penteres - Eastern Archers
63.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
64.Missile Penteres - Eastern Archers
65.Raiding Hemiolia - Eastern Javelinmen
66.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Eastern Javelinmen
67.Scorpion Trieres - Eastern Slingers
68.Missile Trieres - Eastern Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
69.Light Artillery Penteres - Eastern Ballista (Ship)
70.Artillery Penteres - Eastern Onager (Ship)