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Hi
I'm paul im new to this site (new to the internet in fact) and i was wondering how much evidence there is for light infantry , whether literary or archaeological.
I would be thankful for any information you can share
many thanks
Paul Hadley
Hi, Paul,
Welcome to the forum! Follow the recommended links, Hoplite 14 knows what he's talking about.
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Does anyone have any info on javelins i.e head shapes, shaft shape & size. Info on any other skirmishers weapons would be welcome to.
Have you looked at Connolly's "Greece and Rome at War"? That's a good place to start. I think there's also an Osprey book on Light Infantry in the Classical Age, or one on Thrakians/Thracians.
According to Everson, "Warfare in Ancient Greece", the Achaeans (that's a specific group within Greece, not the general term used by Homer) never adopted Hoplite warfare, but used light troops only, until finally adopting Macedonian equipment and tactics in the Hellenistic period.
Generally, a small shield (pelte/pelta), usually round, and a couple of javelins is all the kit you need. Indeed, if you look at Sekonda's Osprey books, there's a nice illustration of a psilos with a goatskin and a rock.
