Massaliote Archers

Description

Toxotai (archers) were recruited from the lower classes and poorer citizens of Greek societies, who could not afford the full panoply of a Hoplite (Pritchard, Athenian Democracy at War, p. 65). Archery was often considered a cowardly practice, since these soldiers did not adhere to the Greek ideal of bravery and holding the line, but rather ran away in the face of danger and fought from a safe distance. Due to the heavy use of archery in Persian and Scythian armies, the Greeks associated this practice with barbarism, though their own toxotai never reached the professionalism of Persian archers (Pritchard, Athenian Democracy at War, p. 70-72). Nevertheless, toxotai, just like other psiloi, were an important part of Greek armies, as the heavily armoured hoplites were unable to oppose them if they were not supported by light infantry or cavalry of their own. They were especially useful on ships, where they could use the distance to their advantage to kill enemy rowers, sailors, and marines from afar (Pritchard, Athenian Democracy at War, p. 68). These Massaliote archers are armed with bows and daggers and protected by a small round Pelte shields, light Linothorakes, and Pilos helmets.