Peltast: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
A '''peltast''' was a type of [[light infantry]] in [[Ancient Greece]] who often served as skirmishers. Peltasts carrried a crescent-shaped wicker shield called pelta as their only protection, hence their name. Their weapons consisted of several [[javelins]], often with '''throwing straps''' to increase standoff power. Peltast became gradually more important in Greek warfare. The Athenian general [[Iphicrates]] destroyed a [[Spartan]] [[phalanx]] using mostly peltasts. |
A '''peltast''' was a type of [[light infantry]] in [[Ancient Greece]] who often served as skirmishers. Peltasts carrried a crescent-shaped wicker shield called pelta as their only protection, hence their name. Their weapons consisted of several [[javelins]], often with '''throwing straps''' to increase standoff power. Peltast became gradually more important in Greek warfare, in particular during the [[Peleponisian war]]. In the [[Archaic period]] the Greek martial tradition had been focused almost exclusively on the heavy infantry or [[hoplites]]. The Athenian general [[Iphicrates]] destroyed a [[Spartan]] [[phalanx]] using mostly peltasts. |
||
Peltasts couldn't afford the panoply of a hoplite and were recruited from te poorer strata of society. Usually they were mercenaries. They made up the largest part of the forces of the [[Aetolian and Achaean Leagues]]. |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
{{stub}} |
{{stub}} |
||
Revision as of 08:02, 31 July 2004
A peltast was a type of light infantry in Ancient Greece who often served as skirmishers. Peltasts carrried a crescent-shaped wicker shield called pelta as their only protection, hence their name. Their weapons consisted of several javelins, often with throwing straps to increase standoff power. Peltast became gradually more important in Greek warfare, in particular during the Peleponisian war. In the Archaic period the Greek martial tradition had been focused almost exclusively on the heavy infantry or hoplites. The Athenian general Iphicrates destroyed a Spartan phalanx using mostly peltasts.
Peltasts couldn't afford the panoply of a hoplite and were recruited from te poorer strata of society. Usually they were mercenaries. They made up the largest part of the forces of the Aetolian and Achaean Leagues.
Peltasts were reputedly Thracian in origin. On vases and other images they are generally depicted with the costume of Thrace. However, many of them were propably poorer soldiers from other parts of Greece.