Raiding Hemiolia - Light Peltasts
These swift, manoeuvrable ships are a useful scouting force for any admiral.These skirmishers harass the enemy with their javelins before sensibly withdrawing out of range.
The 'one-and-a-half' or 'hemiolia' was a light galley which was much favoured by pirates in the ancient world. It developed from the bireme, a ship that had two full decks of oars along its entire length. The hemiola reduced the number of oars on the upper level, leaving roughly half the number of oars and rowers in the midship section. The smaller number of rowers had little effect on overall speed because the laden weight of the vessel also dropped. Because it used both oars and sails, and the crew could rapidly change propulsion method, it was an ideal vessel for chasing down fat, wealthy merchant ships. Boarding attacks were mounted from hemiolas; ramming was not a useful tactic as loot ended up with the fish rather than enriching the pirates! The speed and handiness of hemiolas made them useful as scouts, supply boats and vessels used to pick off damaged enemies at the edge of battles.
(Light Peltasts)
These skirmishers were named for their small crescent-shaped leather or wicker shields or 'peltai'. It was a common habit to name troops for their shield style in the Greek world. They wore little or no armour and carried three javelins. After harassing the enemy by flinging javelins, they would hastily retreat before any counter-charge or flanking move could be carried out. As armies developed and tactics became more complex, peltasts were expected to take part in hand-to-hand combat: with such expectation they were given stiffened linen cuirasses and short swords. They were still expected to use javelins, but could then join in the close fighting. Eventually, peltasts even exchanged their characteristic shield for the heavier thureos. Their name and battlefield function remained unchanged.
Unit Name Raiding Hemiolia - Light Peltasts |
Main Unit Key Gre_Light_Peltasts_One_Halfer |
Land Unit Key Gre_Light_Peltasts |
Naval Unit Key greek_one_halfer |
Soldiers 80 |
Category Light Ship |
Class Missile Ship |
Custom Battle Cost 500 |
Recruitment Cost 500 |
Upkeep Cost 100 |
32 |
├ Missile Weapon rome_javelin |
├ Projectile javelin_normal |
├ Missile Damage 20 |
├ Missile Ap Damage 12 |
└ Base Reload Time 10 |
Accuracy 5 |
Range 80 |
Reload 23 |
Shots Per Minute 8 |
Ammunition 10 |
402 |
└ Ship greek_one_halfer |
Ship Speed 6 |
Melee Attack 18 |
24 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_shortsword |
├ Melee Damage Base 20 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 4 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 0 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 0 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 10 |
40 |
├ Base Defence 15 |
├ Shield peltast_thureos |
└ Shield Defence 25 |
40 |
├ Armour cloth |
├ Armour Defence 10 |
└ Shield Armour 30 |
50 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_light_fast |
├ Man Health 40 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 10 |
Base Morale 45 |
Abilities
Raiding Hemiolia- Row Hard 10
Increases speed for 10 strokes.
Ship speed
- Quick Reload
Improved reloading for an extended time.
Shots per minute
Exertion: fatigue
Attributes
- Resistant to Fatigue
Fatigue has less of an effect on this unit. - Hide (scrub & forest)
This unit can hide in scrub and forest until enemy units get too close.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Raiding Hemiolia- Very poor hull strength
- Light crew
- Very fast speed
- Weak ramming
- Very poor boarding
- Poor missile combat
- Short range
- Fast rate of fire
- Very good damage and armour penetration
- Large shield
- Very weak in melee
- Poor morale