Faction of Sparta
After creating the thread about the Athenian roster I just had to do this.For the sake of all the Spartan fanboys (like myself).
"Now,allow me to suggest the list that I would like to see
Spartan elite units before the reforms
1)OK.We already know that there will be the "Heroes of Sparta" unit that will fight with the equipment of old.Beyond elite heavy hoplitic phalanx.Recruited among the best of the best Spartans of the elite class,trained in the agoge system and fighting as hoplites.I would like to see them using the same equipment that the Spartan mora used at the early 5th century BC,which is Corinthian helmet with red vertical crest,bell shaped and early versions of the muscled breastplate,red cloth underneath without sleeves and covering only the left shoulder ("exomis"),hoplitic greaves,Lakonian xiphos,dory and hoplon shield with the gorgonion as symbol.We already know they'll not be like that,but that's how they were supposed to be...
Special character-Lochagos(captain) eguipped as the rest of the unit but with horizontal red crest.
2)Logades(the 300 elites that fought as the royal guards)-General unit.Beyond elite heavy hoplitic phalanx unit.Carefully chosen Spartans among the elite class with the duty to protect the Spartan king on the battlefield.
Equipment-Pylos helmet with cheek guards and red vertical crest,red cloth with short sleeves,muscled breastplate,hoplitic greaves,Lakonian xiphos,dory and hoplon shield in the natural brass/bronze colour with red "Λ".
Special characters
-Vasilefs(king) equipped as the rest soldiers of the unit but with the Spartan sun symbol (the official royal Spartan symbol) on his shield that had red,white and black rays and the horizontal crest of the king that was red with white.
-2 Vasilikoi Somatophylakes(2 royal bodyguards) that were chosen among the Spartan winners of the Olympic games.They had brought such a great honour to Sparta with their achievement and as a reward they would fight at the left and right side of the king on the battlefield with the duty to not let anyone dare touch their king.Their equipment is the same as the main unit but without crest and with the crown of daphne on their helmet that they had earned at the Olympic games and the "dokana" as symbol to their shields.The one should have red shield with white dokana and the other white shield with red dokana.
-Avlitis(musician with avlos)Same equipment as the main unit but also caring the avlos.
3)Spartiatai Palemachoi(Spartan veterans).Beyond elite heavy hoplitic phalanx.They are the older soldiers that have fought many wars and had the skill to survive.Varying from age 40 to 60,their grey and white hair and beards make clear to the enemy that they're facing elite experienced troops forged in the flames of constant battle.Those troops are positioned at the back of the hoplitic phalanx to make sure that the hoplites of the front will not try to run away and to have elite experienced troops ready to take action when the battle is going bad for the front lines or to presend a formidable obstacle to any enemy that will try to attack the Spartans at their rear.Their presence inspires the younger Spartans to greater acts of heroism.Their equipment is the same that the Logades use,but without crests.
Special caracter-Lochagos(captain) equipped as the main unit but with red horizontal crest.
4)Spartiatai Omoioi(Spartan Equals).Beyond elite heavy hoplitic phalanx.Recruited from the elite Spartan class,they are the younger men that fight at the first lines of the phalanx,aged between 20 and 40.They are considered nearly invincible by hoplites of other city-states but are common among the elite class of the Spartans.The sight of red "Λ" on their brass/bronze shields is often enough to make the enemies's hearts fill with terror and abandon the battle before the Spartans get close enough to fight.They are more than eager to prove to the Palaimachoi that they're just as good or even better than them.Their equipment is the same that the Palaimachoi use but without cheek guards.
Special character-Lochagos(captain) equipped as the main unit but with red horizontal crest.
After the reforms
The Heroes of Sparta unit remains as it was in honour of the 300 that died at Thermopylae.The other 3 units maintain the same defensive equipment but replace the hoplon shield with the Makedonian peltie and the dory with sarissa,so they are turned from heavy hoplites to heavy phalangites.The red "Λ" symbol on the shields remains.The helmets are also replaced with Phrygian helmets.The Logades maintain the crests also.
It would be nice to have the option to maintain some hoplitic phalanxes also after the reforms.For example,I could choose to retrain and reequip the current units,but also create a new unit of heavy hoplites and name it as I want,for example Spartiatai Oplitai (Spartan Hoplites) and let them fight traditionally as hoplites with the equipment that the Spartiatai Omoioi used to fight.
Ypomeiones before the reforms
5)Spartiatai Epivatai(Spartan marines).Light mobile infantry.Recruited from the class of Ypomeiones who couldn't afford to participate in the elite class and equipped with Chalkidian helmet,kopis,red exomis that leaves the right shoulder uncovered for easier sword fighting and hoplon shield with Iraklis(Hercules) as a baby chocking the 2 snakes that Hera had send to kill him as symbol.That unit's role is to man the ships of Sparta that patrol the Lakaedemonian shores.But if the situation requires it,they can also fight as light infantry on land with the role of flanking the enemy.
6)Ypomeiones Oplitai(Ypomeiones hoplites).Light hoplitic phalanx.The Ypomeiones hoplites can't afford the heavy equipment of the elite class and fight with the basics-pylos helmet,red exomis,Lakonian xiphos,dory and hoplon shield with the typical red "Λ".They haven't gone through the intense training of the elite Spartans but no clever enemy would underestimate those hoplites.
7)Ypomeiones akodistai(Ypomeiones javelinmen).Light missile infantry.There are some Ypomeiones that poor that can't even afford the basics,so they can't fight as hoplites.They use javelins,leather peltie,red exomis and leather pylos-shaped skull cap.Those men are at their best at harassing the enemy before the main battle begins.They have little protection and should stay away from melee combat.
8)Ypomeiones sfendonitai(Ypomeiones slingers).Light missile infantry.There are some even poorer Ypomeiones that can't afford the javelins and use a single piece of cloth or leather to throw rocks with it.The rest of the equipment is the same that the akodistai use.
9)Ypomeiones Ekdromoi Oplitai.Light infantry.They use the same equipment as the Ypomeiones Oplitai,but without the dory.Those hoplites are not supposed to form a phalanx and engage in melee combat.Their role is to guard the main phalanx from the enemy missile troops and pursue them when they get close enough to shoot,or guard the spaces between the phalanxes so that the enemy's light infantry can't get through and find themselves at the flanks or the rear of the phalanxes.That could be destructive.So they try to keep in good shape and run a lot as part of their training to be more endurable and become faster.
After the reforms
The Ypomeiones Oplitai unit becomes Ypomeiones Phalangitai and replaces the hoplon with Makedonian peltie and the dory with sarissa.
The Ypomeiones akodistai unit becomes Ypomeiones Peltastai with the Iphikratian Thyreos as a shield,spolas,linothorax,greaves,Attican helmet,javelins and kopis.That turnes it from a light missile unit to a medium missile unit that can handle melee combat as well.The equipment is granted to them by the state.
The rest of the units stay the same.
But also a new unit appears.
10)Ypomeiones Thorakitai.Heavy missile infantry.Same equipment as the Ypomeiones Peltastai but with heavy chain armour instead of linothorax.This "missile" unit is more than capable in close combat.
Helots before the reforms
11)Vrasidioi Oplitai(Vrasidioi hoplites).Medium hoplitic phalanx.The first of the helots that fought for Vrasidas in Thrakie(Thrace) in 424 BC brought him great success,so he offered them the option to free them if they can afford it.Most of them could and bought their freedom.The veterans of that battle used the "Λ" letter as the symbol of their newly formed unit to show that their only master from that moment would be Lakaedemon and noone else.A few years later all the Spartan phalanxes adapted that symbol because they were Lakaedemonic phalanxes in reality and not 100% Spartan anymore.The legacy of the unit continues to the time of the game and the best among the Neodamodeis are carefully chosen to be in this unit.Their equipment should be pylos helmet,cloth with short sleeves in several colours like darker red,white,light brown,darker brown,grey and black,hoplitic greaves,linothorax,xiphos,dory and hoplon shield painted black with white "Λ".
12)Neodamodeis.Medium hoplitic phalanx.After the Vrasidioi Eilotes bought their freedom many other helots were tempted to do so also.From time to time the Spartans found themselves in need of new warriors and gave the chance to the helots who could afford it to buy their freedom and become part of the Spartan army.Those who were wealthy enough did and trained as hoplites afterwards.Those new hoplites when ready for battle joined the unit of Neodamodeis and used the same equipment as the Vrasidioi Oplitai,but with black shield and red "Λ"
13)Eilotes akodistai(helots javelinmen).Light missile infantry.They use the same equipment and tactics that the Ypomeiones akodistai use,but they wear exomis with plenty of colours,not the standard red.They are not that good,but are cheaper to recruit.
14)Eilotes sfendonitai(helots slingers).Light missile infantry.They use the same equipment and tactics that the Ypomeiones sfendonitai use,but they also don't use standardised colour for their exomis.Again,they are not that good,but are cheaper to recruit.
After the reforms
The Vrasidioi Oplitai and Neodamodeis turn to medium phalangitai and replace the hoplon shield with Makedonian peltie and the dory with sarissa.The units are called Vrasidioi Phalangitaiand Neodamodeis Phalangitai.
Perioikoi before the reforms
15)Lakaedemonioi Ippeis(Lakaedemonian cavalry)Light cavalry.This unit was formed mainly by the Perioikoi.Sometimes Ypomeiones also participated,but in very few numbers.From the late 5th century BC and beyond the wealthy families of the Perioikoi were obligated to provide at least one rider each.There were 600 families that the Spartans found as wealthy enough to include to this category,so a unit of 600 light riders was formed.Each one of those families was obligated to provide at least one rider,his equipment,his horse and his training.Those riders use the xiston(cavalry long spear),brass/bronze pylos helmet or leather pylos-shaped skull cup,exomis or trivonas (a poorer cloth) in several colours and a cavalry sword (longer than the infantry sword).They are good at delivering shock charges with their lances and pursueing the enemy but due to lack of armour they are not good in prolonged fighting and are weak against missiles.They fight with the support of the Skiritai,who fight as "amippoi".Agysilaos in early 4th century BC created a law that any wealthy man of the Perioikoi that could provide a mercenary would not be obligated to fight himself in this unit,or else he would be.Many of them didn't want to fight but could afford a mercanary and his equipment so they provided a number of 900 mercenary riders that raised the number of the unit to 1.500.Those mercenaries were very good riders actually and made the unit very strong.They even defeated the Thessalian cavalry in 395 BC and from that battle forward they were considered a "must" unit by any Spartan commander.
16)Skiritai.Light infantry.A special unit trained in night raids,unorthodox warfare,surprise attacks and scouting.They are very highly valued by the Spartans who never put that unit in unecessary danger.They fought as light hoplites until the Lakaedemonioi Ippeis unit was founded.They also surved the Spartan army as scouts to avoid unpleasant surprises during marching.They also surved as night patrols at the Spartan camps.In the battle of Thermopylae,after the Greeks learned about the encircling move of the Persians,the Skiritai unit that numbered 900 men was ordered by Leonidas to organize a night raid in the Persian camp to find the tent of Xerxes and kill him.They invaded the camp without being spotted and found the tent.They got in the tent in perfect silence and killed everyone inside.But unfortunately for them Xerxes was not in the tent at the moment.They thought that their task was done and they tried to leave the camp.But while exiting the tent a Persian patrol was heading to the tent to check on the king and they were spotted.The patrol sounded the alarm.The Skiritai slaughtered them but it had delayed them enough and the Persians after the initial surprise and confusion had taken up their bows and surrounded the unit.They were shot to death to the last one of the 900.But the legacy of the unit remains till the time of the game.After the foundation of the cavalry unit their role changed and they fought as amippoi after that.Amippoi is a light infantry unit with the duty to protect the horses of the cavalry once engaged in battle.They hold the hair and tails of the horses to not lose them when the battle begins and if the enemy is cavalry also they get under the enemy horses and tear their belly with their swords.Their equipment was light enough to support their role.Pylos helmet,exomis in dark colours,kopis and hoplon shield with the bird of Skiritida as their symbol.
17)Perioikoi Epivatai(Perioikoi marines).Same as the Spartan marines but they wear blue exomis,not red.The symbol on their shield is the same but they paint their shields black to distinguish themselves.
18)Perioikoi Oplitai(perioikoi hoplites).Medium hoplitic phalanx.Hoplites recruited from the land of the Spartan state that lies around the city of Sparta.Those hoplites are a very effective phalanx but of course nowhere near as the Spartan phalanx.They use mainly linothorax,but reinforced linothorax,spolas and muscled breastplates are also found among them.Some fight with only their spolas or even only their exomis as body protection,so they don't use standardised body armour.Their helmets are several types like pylos,Chalkidian,Phrygian,Attican or even Corinthian.Some use greaves,others don't.All of them use dory,xiphos and hoplon shield painted red with white "Λ".
Special character-Lochagos(captain).Dark red cloth with short sleeves,brown leather spolas,muscled breastplate,pylos helmet with cheek guards and horizontal crest usually of dark colours,xiphos,dory and hoplon shield painted red with white "Λ".
19)Perioikoi akodistai(Perioikoi javelinmen).Same as Eilotes akodistai.
20)Perioikoi sfendonitai(Perioikoi slingers).Same as Eilotes sfendonitai.
After the reforms
The reforms of Kleomenis III don't include the Perioikoi,but they don't want to fall behind and follow the changes of the Spartans.The Perioikoi Oplitai turn to Perioikoi Phalangitai and replace the dory with sarissa and the hoplon shield with the Makedonian peltie.That makes them medium phalangites.
The Perioikoi akodistai turn to Perioikoi Peltastai.Medium missile infantry.Same changes as above.
A new unit appears
21)Perioikoi Thorakitai.Heavy missile infantry.Same as above.
Peloponnesioi Symachoi(Peloponnesian Allies) before the reforms
22)Peloponnesioi Oplitai(Peloponnesian hoplites)Every city has its own hoplites without standardised equipment and with the symbol of the city on their shields.Usually medium or light phalanxes,they are a strong addition to any army.
23)Peloponnesioi akodistai.Same as the other akodistai.
24)Peloponnesioi sfendonitai.Same as the other sfendonitai.
25)Peloponnesioi toxotai(Peloponnesian archers).Light missile infantry.That's an addition to the Spartan army that otherwise would be lacking.They use dark hats,exomis or the cloth with short sleeves in several colours,bows,quiver and a big dagger.
26)Peloponnesioi Ippeis(Pelopennesian cavalry).Medium cavalry.They use pylos,Chalkidian,Boeotian(the most widely used type) and Attikan helmets,linothorax,spolas,muscled breastplates or reinforced linothorax,xyston and the cavalry sword.
27)Peloponnesioi Psiloi Ippeis(Peloponnesian missile cavalry)Light cavalry.They use small round shield and javelins,pylos-shaped skull cap,cavalry sword and exomis in several colours.Weak in prolonged melee combat due to lack of armour.
After the reforms
The Peloponnesians aren't part of the reforms but they don't want to fall behind and follow the Spartans.They turn their Peloponnesioi Oplitai to Peloponnesioi Phalangite and their Peloponnesian akodistai to Peloponnesioi Peltastai.
A new unit also appears
28)Peloponnesioi Thorakitai.Same changes as the other thorakitai.
Mercenaries
29)Kritikoi toxotai(Cretan archers).Generally accepted as the best Greek archers of the age they make a great addition to the Spartan army.Cretans are a Doric Greek tribe exactly like the Spartans,so they have good relations and fight together.They are equipped as the other toxotai but also carry a small bronze/brass round shield that distinguishes them.
30)Misthophoriko Ippiko(Mercenary cavalry).Medium shock cavalry.They are equipped generally as the Peloponnesian cavalry.They are very good at close combat and deal a devastating charge.
31)Rodioi sfendonitai(Rhodian slingers).They are generally accepted as the best Greek slingers of the age and a great addition to the army.Their equipment is similar to the other slingers.
32)Galates Doryphoroi(Gauls spearmen).Light infantry.The Spartans of that era used those spermen often to raise the number of their army.They are loyal to those who pay them and that makes them a trusted ally.Their only protection is their large shield.They also use spears obviously and a Gallic sword as secondary weapon.
And a few details that I'd love to see-It was a custom for the Spatans to shave their moustaches when going to war(which practically means always for them).So for the Spartitai and Ypomeoines units I would want to see it in the game.The Spartans also didn't wear sandals,they fought barefooted.About the painted hoplon shields,they still left the outer ring at the rhysical colour of brass/bronze.
I think that would be a nice and historically accurate list and those little details would make it even better for me.Of course as you capture more factions you should be able to hire more units.
I'm not that mad though.I know that we're not going to see it...But a man can dream..."
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Originally Posted by Sun Jetzu
