suggestion: a megathread on unit types

[Aryaman2]

Hi all
I was thinking about this, many people ask questions about type of units, how were they equiped, when they are first recorded, etc, why not create a thread on unit types that ould be pinned by moderators? Threr could be separated thread for discussion, and when the information is gathered, a resume could be posted in the megathread, an illustration of any of the gifted artists that post in the forum could also be attached. Units could be divided into periods, and some kind of standard entries could be arranged, like 1) First recorded 2) last recorded 3) Equipement 4) role in battle, or something like that, what do you think?

[hoplite14gr]

A thought.

Neolithic to 2000 B.C. mostly warbands with psiloi slingers and archers.

2000 B.C. 1800 B.C marine infantry and pikemen with large shields appear according to Akrotiri frescoe. Possibly first chariots.

1800 B.C. 1500 B.C. heavy chariot crews and pike infantry supported by archers and slingers according to Cretan engravings.

1500 B.C. 1150 B.C. Chariots, spearmen and peltast-like infantry.misslemen fight behind spearmen. Pylos tablets describe differnt units and wepons. Probably first cavlrymen scouts appear.

1150 B.C. 800 B.C. Cavlary dominates. Most infantry is loose order javlineers supported by psiloi misslemen Chariots are mostly for show.
The colapse of palace organization dismantled the older big military establishments.

800 B.C. 600 B.C Heavily armed aristocratic foot like knihts. Spear blocks reapear. Pheidon of Argos establishes the hoplite phalanx. Cavalry and psiloi decline in importance.

600 B.C. 450 B.C. hoplite spearmen dominate. missle psiloi support them Cavalry is mostly light scouts.

450 B.C. 350 B.C Hoplites decline in number. Peltast reappear. Cavlary becomes heavier. Mercenary good quality misslemen appear.

350 B.C. 168 B.C. Pikemen reapear and hoplites gradualy are replaced by them. Peltasts are upormored. Heavy and light cavalry. Elphantry is introduced. Psiloi are used to clear elephands and skythed chariots.


168 B.C. 146 B.C. Catafract cavalry is introduced in Hellenistic armies. Peltasts and light horse use thyreos shields. Pike block become large and unwieldy. Legion type infantry makes its appearence.

Later in Roman service ther are Cretan archers and heavy cavalry.

Kind regards