Sparta Melee Cavalry

Spartan Royal Cavalry

Spartan Elite cavalry are very good for hunting all types of enemies.

The Hellenistic kings who succeeded Alexander recruited their royal cavalry guard in the image of Alexander’s famed Companion cavalry. Similarly equipped, they carried the Macedonian 'xyston' lance, a two-handed thrusting spear of around four metres in length. They led their royal cavalry in the same heroic style as Alexander, setting an example at the head of the charge. Whilst besieging Sparta in 272 BC, Pyrrhus of Epirus learned of the death of his son. Channelling his grief and anger, he charged his cavalry headlong into a unit of elite Spartan infantry. Toppled from his horse, Pyrrhus fought hand-to-hand against the odds and survived to tell the tale. This approach to frontline combat meant he was held in great regard by his men, but eventually led to his death. Caught in melee in the narrow streets of Argos, where he had come to curb unrest, Pyrrhus was stunned by a tile thrown from a roof and then beheaded by an Argive soldier before he could recover.

Abilities

Spartan Royal Cavalry

• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue
• Diamond
  The unit moves into a diamond-shaped attack formation.
  Charge bonus, melee attack
  Acceleration, melee defence

Attributes

• 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

Spartan Royal Cavalry

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

Sparta Units
General (4)
1.Royal Spartans
2.Spartan Named Ones
3.Spartan Royal Guard
4.Disciples of Ares
Melee Infantry (7)
5.Perioikoi Infantry
6.Perioikoi Chosen Infantry
7.Spartan Bladesmen
8.Spartan Named Ones
9.Agora Swordsmen
10.Agora Veterans
11.Disciples of Ares
Missile Infantry (8)
12.Gorgo's Skirmishers
13.Helot Archers
14.Helot Javelinmen
15.Helot Slingers
16.Perioikoi Peltasts
17.Cretan Toxotai
18.Rhodian Sphendonetai
19.Spartan Archers
Pike Infantry (3)
20.Perioikoi Pikemen
21.Spartan Pikemen
22.Agesilaus Spartans
Spear Infantry (11)
23.Heroes of Sparta
24.Perioikoi Hoplites
25.Perioikoi Spears
26.Royal Spartans
27.Spartan Hoplites
28.Spartan Youths
29.Spartan Heavy Hoplites
30.Spartan Recruits
31.Spartan Veterans
32.Spartan Temple Warriors
33.Spartan Royal Guard
Melee Cavalry (2)
34.Citizen Cavalry
35.Spartan Royal Cavalry
Missile Cavalry (2)
36.Skirmisher Cavalry
37.Tarantine Cavalry
Fixed Artillery (4)
38.Greek Giant Ballista
39.Greek Polybolos
40.Greek Bastion Scorpion
41.Greek Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (7)
42.Greek Bastion Ballista
43.Greek Ballista
44.Greek Beehive Onager
45.Greek Scorpion
46.Greek Heavy Onager
47.Greek Bastion Onager
48.Greek Onager
Admiral (2)
49.Scorpion Trieres - Helot Slingers
50.Assault Hexeres - Spartan Hoplites
Melee Ship (4)
51.Assault Tetreres - Perioikoi Hoplites
52.Fire Pot Dieres - Perioikoi Hoplites
53.Assault Dieres - Perioikoi Hoplites
54.Assault Hexeres - Spartan Hoplites
Missile Ship (7)
55.Scorpion Penteres - Helot Archers
56.Missile Penteres - Helot Archers
57.Tower Penteres - Helot Archers
58.Raiding Hemiolia - Helot Javelinmen
59.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Helot Javelinmen
60.Scorpion Trieres - Helot Slingers
61.Missile Trieres - Helot Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
62.Light Artillery Penteres - Greek Ballista (Ship)
63.Artillery Penteres - Greek Onager (Ship)