Boiotian Agema of the Peltophoroi
Class: spearmen · Category: infantry · Men per unit: 60
Reforms: Unlocked by Boiotian Macedonian Reform
Description
Those who proved especially able in the fight with the Sarissa were elected into an elite corps, the Agema. The heirs of the Sacred Band now fight as Macedonian-style pikemen for their home of Boiotia.
Historical background
In 245 BC the Boiotian League, long courted by the Achaians to join in their war(s) against the Aitolians, finally gave in: its leaders agreed to an alliance with the Achaian League and declared war on the Aitolian League. While the Boiotians prepared their forces for a campaign to the West, they celebrated the Pamboiotia, their national festival, during which a sacred truce forbade them to fight (Polyb. IV, 3, 5; with Post 2013, p. 85). The Aitolians, however, thought little of the holy nature of the festival and invaded the country with rapid speed. The shocked Boiotians gathered their forces as quickly as possible and met their foes at Chaironeia (Polyb. XX, 4, 4-6). Under the command of the Boiotarch, Abaiokritos, they were crushed and routed, and over a thousand men were killed (Plut. Aratos 16, 1).
The humiliation of Chaironeia in 245 BC forced the Boiotians to become more or less vassals of the Aitolian League, support their military forces, and grant them free passage through their territory (Post 2013, p. 87). The leading politicians of Boiotia saw one of the main reasons for the defeat in the equipment of their soldiers. While some of the Hoplites had been re-armed with the Thureos shields in the preceding decades, the heavy infantry had been too slow to catch up with the Aitolian skirmishers and their phalanx, as disciplined as it was, proved too weak to break up the Aitolian main battle line. Thus, the Boiotan nobility looked north: the Macedonians had proven several times that the Aitolians could in fact be defeated in battle, and - together with the cavalry - the Macedonian Phalanx seemed to have been the main reason for their successes.
Those who proved especially able in the fight with the Sarissa were elected into an elite corps, the Agema. From inscriptions we know that it was made up of men from every member state of the Boiotian League (e.g. IThesp 84 for Thespiai or SEG 3.354; SEG 3.355 for Koroneia). Armed with a large phalanx Pelte shield, the long Sarissa, and swords for melee, these men now form the strongest element of the Boiotian main battle line. A reinforced Linothorax, greaves and crested and rimmed Pilos helmets protect them against enemy attacks. Their shields depict the laureate head of Poseidon, which was a popular motif in the federal coinage (e.g. Drachm BMC 103, ca 225-171 BC).
Stats
| Rank in roster | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men per unit | 60 | █████████· 87% |
| Attack | 21 | ██████████ 99% |
| Charge bonus | 4 | ██········ 21% |
| Defence | 30 | ████······ 43% |
| · armour | 11 | ██████···· 64% |
| · defence skill | 16 | ███······· 28% |
| · shield | 3 | ████······ 37% |
| Morale | 12 | ██████···· 57% |
| Discipline | Normal | |
| Training | Highly trained | |
| Recruitment cost | 2,203 dn | ██████···· 57% |
| Upkeep per turn | 806 dn | ████████·· 78% |
| Turns to recruit | 4 |
Weapons
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 21 | 6 | Charge bonus | 4 | 4 | Type | melee · blade | melee · simple | Damage | piercing | piercing |
| Properties | Long spear (bonus against cavalry, penalty against infantry) · +8 attack against cavalry · very long pike (phalanx) | — |
Defence
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 30 | — | Armour | 11 | — | Defence skill | 16 | — | Shield | 3 | — |
Condition and terrain
| Hit points | 1 | Ground: scrub / sand / forest / snow | -4 / -1 / -6 / -1 | Charge distance | 0 | Formations | Square · Phalanx |
Technical stats
| Time between blows (primary / secondary) | 2.5 s / 2.5 s | Extra fatigue in hot climates | 1 | Collision mass per man (1.0 is normal) | 1.13 | Spacing between men: close / loose | 1 × 1 m / 2 × 2.4 m |
| Default ranks | 5 |
In battle: Can sap · Very good stamina
Who can recruit it
A core roster unit for one faction, which can raise it anywhere it holds the right building:
Exactly what a settlement must have, route by route (2)
| Building | Also requires | Building | Also requires | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Rule | Tier 3 Military Industrial Complex · Boiotian Macedonian Reform · Tier 2 Colony | Homeland | Tier 2 Military Industrial Complex · Boiotian Macedonian Reform |