These men are recruited from the native population, not from among the Greek stratum of society that exists in all the Successor states, so they do not have the discipline of the 'hoplite ethos' in their training. Against skirmishers and other missile troops, however, they require some support. They can withstand attacks by most cavalry, and the training they have received allows them to form phalanx and carry an attack to an enemy infantry line. Their war gear includes long spears, chainmail and round shields. Heavy spearmen can be the backbone of an Eastern army and are well able to take on many opponents. Individually, they are not outstanding warriors, but as a group they have their uses in holding off light cavalry even medium and heavier troops will be unwilling to charge into a forest of spear points. They are drawn from among the peasantry and urban poor, given minimal training and sent into battle.
They do not see any need for military formalities!Įastern infantry are easily recruited militia-spearmen, who are good for defence against less able opponents. They are expert raiders and thieves (often taking sheep and goats from their lowland neighbours) and this is, unfortunately, something that makes them occasionally difficult to control. Their skills at reading ground allow them to hide where others cannot, and this makes them valuable to commanders with a penchant for tactical ambushes. Although only armed with spears and shields, they are a valuable addition to many forces. To outsiders, the hillmen are a wild savage people, but they are also skilled hunters, making them superb ambushers. They wear no other armour, and rely on speed as the best form of protection. Peltasts are equipped with a clutch of javelins, a sword and a light shield, the pelte, which gives them their name as 'pelte-bearers'. They are also adept - as their abilities would suggest - at staging tactical ambushes. Instead, their job is to harass and disrupt enemy units as well as screen the main force of the army. They are skirmishers and not intended to hold a position in a battle line. But if nothing else, they are useful when there's digging to be done! They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding whenever there is cover.Įastern peltasts rush forward to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised.
They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes rather than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. Forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. Peasants are reluctant warriors, but numbers are useful in all armies.
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