<?xml version="1.0" ?><?encoding UTF-16?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../xsl/unit.xsl"?><unit><full_name>hellenistic infantry thureophoroi</full_name><dictionary>hellenistic_infantry_thureophoroi</dictionary><category>infantry</category><class>spearmen</class><voice_type>General_1</voice_type><soldier><name>hellenistic_infantry_thureophoroi_aanatimleebim</name><soldiers>40</soldiers><extras>0</extras><mass>1.15</mass></soldier><officers><officer1>ebofficer_hellenic_officer</officer1><officer2>ebofficer_hellenic_standardbearer</officer2></officers><attributes>sea_faring, hide_forest, can_sap, hardy</attributes><formation><side_spacing>1</side_spacing><front_spacing>1.4</front_spacing><loose_side_spacing>2</loose_side_spacing><loose_front_spacing>2.8</loose_front_spacing><ranks>4</ranks><formations>square</formations></formation><stat_health><hit_points>1</hit_points><animal_hit_points>1</animal_hit_points></stat_health><stat_pri><attack>6</attack><charge>4</charge><missile_type>javelin</missile_type><range>35</range><ammo>3</ammo><weapon_type>thrown</weapon_type><tech_type>simple</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>10</min_delay><lethality>1</lethality></stat_pri><stat_pri_attr>prec, thrown</stat_pri_attr><stat_sec><attack>14</attack><charge>4</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>melee</weapon_type><tech_type>simple</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>0</min_delay><lethality>0.13</lethality></stat_sec><stat_sec_attr>light_spear</stat_sec_attr><stat_pri_armour><armour>10</armour><def_skill>8</def_skill><shield>3</shield><sound>leather</sound></stat_pri_armour><stat_sec_armour><armour>0</armour><def_skill>0</def_skill><sound>flesh</sound></stat_sec_armour><stat_heat>2</stat_heat><stat_ground><scrub>0</scrub><sand>0</sand><forest>-1</forest><snow>-2</snow></stat_ground><stat_mental><morale>11</morale><discipline>normal</discipline><training>trained</training></stat_mental><stat_fire_delay>0</stat_fire_delay><stat_food>60, 300</stat_food><stat_cost><turns>1</turns><cost>1337</cost><upkeep>334</upkeep><upgrade_weapon>70</upgrade_weapon><upgrade_armour>498</upgrade_armour><custom_battle>1337</custom_battle></stat_cost><ownership>romans_julii, greek_cities, macedon, carthage, numidia, romans_brutii, gauls, britons, scythia, dacia, spain, parthia, thrace, romans_scipii</ownership><description><name>Thureophoroi (Hellenic Spearmen)</name><short>Thureophoroi were a new class of Hellenic infantry. They are an extremely mobile force that can hit hard with their heavy javelins then rush in to flank pike units.</short><long>Sapping Ability

Thureophoroi were a new class of Hellenic infantry that was designed to both augment the phalanx and provide a type of soldier between the Phalangitai and the Peltastai that was able to both skirmish and fight in melee effectively. These men provide an extremely mobile force that can hit hard with their heavy javelins then rush in to flank pike units. They are well armed and armored for the task, having stout bronze helms, linen armor, an almond shaped thureos shield, heavy javelins, and a stout spear. They are highly versatile infantry, akin in spirit to the legionnaires of Rome. They are a highly effective force of heavy infantry that is in the forefront of Hellenic military know-how.

Historically, Thureophoroi were used as harassing and flanking troops by the successor states. Though they were often described by Latin writers as copies of the legion, it is debatable whether they were developed with knowledge of warfare in Italy or not. Most Thureophoroi were Pezhetairoi, middle class property owners with voting rights, and as such, they were well able to devote time to training and practice and were highly disciplined and courageous troops. Despite their obvious advantages, or perhaps because of them, there was a lot of confusion as to how to utilize these new soldiers. As they were deadly in the extreme to the less mobile phalanx units they forced a, much resisted, revaluation of Hellenic warfare. Perhaps for this reason the Diodachoi tended to used them conservatively, except for the Seleukeis, who took to these new soldiers quite well. The city-states of Hellas used them even more frequently against the armies of Makedonia, and were often able to hold the more powerful kingdom at bay. Still, their uses were limited in scope and not as widespread as their versatile and deadly role would have indicated. This is the fault of their commanders, however, and a more astute or innovative commander might have realized their potential in conjunction with the more static phalanx.</long></description></unit>