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Athenian Royal Spearmen AthensAthens Spear Infantry

Athenian Royal Spearmen

Royal Infantry who use spears to hunt down enemy cavalry.

Meaning shield bearer or shield carrier, the Macedonian hypaspist developed out of the foot squires of the Companion cavalry. Rising to prominence under Alexander the Great, these chosen foot soldiers were equipped more like their hoplite predecessors than the new sarissa-armed phalangite infantry of the Macedonian phalanx. Armoured in linothorax, a cuirass of linen reinforced with metal, and a helmet, greaves and the apsis shield, they were more heavily equipped than their phalangite counterparts. Even with the increased weight, the shield bearer’s armament of spears and short kopis swords made them more flexible in battle than the less manoeuvrable phalangite. Because of this they usually guarded the vulnerable flank of such sarissa-armed phalanxes and, as an elite body, held the place of honour on the army’s right flank between the phalangites and the Companion cavalry. Alexander’s hypaspists influenced the adoption of such units by many of his Successors, and their use continued within the Macedonian army for quite some time. Eventually the shield bearer role developed into a rank of lower staff officers spread throughout the army, reporting directly to the king.

Athenian Royal Spearmen

Unit Name

Athenian Royal Spearmen

Main Unit Key

Gre_Athen_Royal

Land Unit Key

Gre_Athen_Royal

Naval Unit Key

greek_transport

Soldiers

160

Category

Melee Infantry

Class

Spear Infantry

Custom Battle Cost

830

Recruitment Cost

830

Upkeep Cost

100

Melee Attack

34

Weapon Damage

32

├ Melee Weapon

rome_spear_elite

├ Melee Damage Base

21

├ Melee Damage Ap

11

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Large

17

├ Bonus vs Elephants

19

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

25

Melee Defence

77

├ Base Defence

51

├ Shield

hoplite

└ Shield Defence

26

Armour

117

├ Armour

bronze

├ Armour Defence

74

└ Shield Armour

43

Health

80

├ Man Entity

rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health

60

└ Bonus Hit Points

20

Base Morale

60

Abilities

Athenian Royal Spearmen
  • Hoplite Wall
    The unit moves into close wall formation.
    Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
    Acceleration, speed
  • Use the Whip
    Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
    Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
    Exertion: fatigue
  • Cavalry Counter-tactics
    Improves unit's ability to endure enemy cavalry charges for an extended time.
    Bonus vs mounted units

Attributes

  • Expert Charge Defence
    This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
  • Disciplined
    This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
  • Encourage
    This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
  • 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
Athenian Royal Spearmen
  • Very good defensive unit
  • Low damage but average armour penetration
  • Average attack
  • Good morale
Requires Buildings
Athenian Royal Spearmen Lv. 1 Royal Barracks
Royal Barracks
(greek_military_heavy_4)
Level 3
Faction Availability
Grand Campaign