Achaian Epilektoi

Description

The Elite Thureophoroi of the Achaian League are capable skirmishers, but can also be used in melee. Protected by their colourful Linothorakes, greaves and a variety of helmets, these elite Thureophoroi can serve both as line infantry and as skirmishers. They will either pepper the enemy with javelins or form a dense formation of spears. The Kerykeion on the shield was the staff worn by Hermes, the Alpha Chi simply stands for the first two letters of Achaia. The Epilektoi were eventually re-equipped as Macedonian style Phalangites by Philopoimen (253-183 BC) (Plut. Philopoimen 9,5), but served the federation well in their dual infantry role until then.

Historical background

From the 270s onwards, the majority of the federal forces of the Achaian League fought as Thureophoroi. The Thureos shield was widely adopted across Greece after the Galatian invasion of 280/279 BC and many states re-equipped some or all of their Hoplites with the large, oval shield. Pausanias (VIII, 50, 1) remarks that the Achaian Thureoi also resembled the Persian γέρρον shields, oval wicker shields covered with hide, and thus they may even have been used by single soldiers at least at a much earlier date than the 270s BC. At any rate, the Achaians used smaller Thureoi than other Greek states, which only covered parts of the body (Plut. Philopoimen 9, 1). While Thureophoroi could be used both instead of Hoplites as line infantry and instead of Peltasts as skirmishers, the Achaian Thureophoroi seem to have been deployed mainly in the latter role (Sekunda, Military Forces 2007, p. 341). The smaller and lighter shields afforded them greater speed and mobility, but were an obvious disadvantage in melee.

In 217 BC, the Strategos Aratos of Sikyon (271-213 BC) convinced the federal assembly to pass a decree that describes the Achaian army at this point in time: "The substance of the decree was as follows. They were to keep up a mercenary force of eight thousand foot and five hundred horse and a picked Achaian force (Epilektoi) of three thousand foot and three hundred horse, including five hundred foot and fifty horse from Megalopolis, all brazen-shielded, and an equal number of Argives.” (Polybios, Histories, V, 91, 6).

At least by 217 BC, then, the federal army had 3,000 foot soldiers designated as Epilektoi, the elite of the army. Five hundred of these were Megalopolitan Phalangites and 500 hundred the Epilektoi of Argos, which leaves 2,000 men. Their number may have been lower before 217 BC, but since Argos and Megalopolis only became members of the League well after 270 BC, it would only have been 2,000 men overall instead of the 3,000 attested in the early and mid-3rd century BC. These were likely also armed as Thureophoroi, but with colourful linen armour to underline their status as an elite unit. Since the standing forces were foreign mercenaries, the Achaian officials probably selected the men who made the best impression upon recruitment and had the most experience for the Epilektoi.

Stats

Weapons

Defence

Condition and terrain

In battle: Can sap · Very good stamina