Colchis Melee Infantry

Artacoanian Noble Sparabara

Regulars of Persian armies, first in line and safe protection to archers behind them, the 'sparabara' were teached in the art of war since they were young. These Artacoanian units recruit many members of the local noble class

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

Artacoanian Noble Sparabara

• Shieldwall
  The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
  Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Limited speed
• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue
• Rally & Inspire
  Target friendly units to improve their combat skills and morale for a short time.
  Melee attack, melee defence, accuracy, reload skill, morale

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

Transport

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

Artacoanian Noble Sparabara

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Good morale

Colchis Units
General (4)
1.Hippeus Lancers
2.Artacoanian Noble Sparabara
3.Colchis Heavy Spearmen
4.Carmanian Camel Cataphracts
Melee Infantry (4)
5.Axemen
6.Hillmen
7.Kartli Axemen
8.Mob
Missile Infantry (4)
9.Eastern Archers
10.Eastern Javelinmen
11.Eastern Slingers
12.Peltasts
Spear Infantry (2)
13.Eastern Spearmen
14.Hoplites
Melee Cavalry (2)
15.Noble Blood Cavalry
16.Citizen Cavalry
Missile Cavalry (2)
17.Horse Archers
18.Horse Skirmishers
Shock Cavalry (1)
19.Hippeus Lancers
Fixed Artillery (4)
20.Greek Giant Ballista
21.Greek Polybolos
22.Greek Bastion Scorpion
23.Greek Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (5)
24.Greek Bastion Ballista
25.Greek Ballista
26.Greek Heavy Onager
27.Greek Bastion Onager
28.Greek Onager
Admiral (2)
29.Scorpion Penteres - Eastern Archers
30.Light Artillery Penteres - Eastern Ballista (Ship)
Melee Ship (5)
31.Assault Tetreres - Hillmen
32.Assault Tetreres - Kartli Axemen
33.Assault Tetreres - Hoplites
34.Fire Pot Dieres - Peltasts
35.Assault Dieres - Peltasts
Missile Ship (5)
36.Scorpion Penteres - Eastern Archers
37.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
38.Missile Penteres - Eastern Archers
39.Missile Trieres - Eastern Archers
40.Raiding Hemiolia - Eastern Javelinmen
Artillery Ship (2)
41.Light Artillery Penteres - Greek Ballista (Ship)
42.Artillery Penteres - Greek Onager (Ship)