Difference between Hypaspistai + Peltastai Makedonikoi

[Conan]

Hi guys,

Is the only real difference between Hypaspistai + Peltastai Makedonikoi there equipment, since there social standing and who there recruited from seem pretty much the same...

Also what is again the difference between Pezhetairoi + Klerouchoi Phalangitai?

Thanks

[Hax]

Hypaspistai are better armoured.

Same goes for the Pezhetairoi.

So basically; yes. Gameplay wise, at least. I think the historians could tell you more about the historical differences.

[mikil100]

The difference between Pezhetairoi and Klerouchoi, is (as far as I understand) The Pezhetairoi are full time proffesional soldiers, they aren't farmers, they're true warriors. The Klerouchoi seem to be like a proffesional militia, only fighting when called upon in times of dire need... but I may be wrong.

[Maion Maroneios]

Actually it depends on the Successor Kingdom. You see, historians believe (according to ancient scriptures) there nature of these men different from Kingdom to Kingdom.

In traditional Makedonia, where many pure-blood Makedones resided, the Pezhetairoi retained their original nature. That is, professional land-owning Makedonian citizens that trained year-round and where called upon any time by the Basileus who had the title of 'Hegemon ton taxeon', or 'Leader of the armies'. Those men where no butterbabies, as many wrongly think, as they recieved rigid training they could afford by having enough free time due to the fact that their estates where worked by slaves and/or paid workers.

Now in the Eastern Diadochoi Kingdoms, it seems that Pezhetairoi had a slight different role. While I do not know enough about their nature in the East to make a spherical and solid statement based on facts, I believe they where used in a similiar manner as in Makedonia; Full-time soldiers with citizenship that had estates.

Klerouchoi now, is a different matter. Those where settled soldiers who where given land to work on (themselves) upon the conquest and Hellenization of a 'barbaric' region by Makedones. This is mostly confined to the Eastern Kingoms, due to the fact that there was a shortage on Hellenes there and the giving away of land was a trick to lure Hellenes from mainland Hellas (and other parts where the Hellenes were populous). This means that the Klerouchoi had a Hellenic heritage and they fought for their land. Most times (based on logic, that is), they would be poor farmers or workers from mainland Hellas that sought a better future. While they weren't of the same élan as the Pezhetairoi, they where nonetheless capable infantry.

There is another issue that is debateable now, word is about the Argyraspides. It seems that, in Makedonia they retained their traditional nature (like the Pezhetairoi) as veteran Pezhetairoi ageing from 40-50 years old. They where most probably better equipped, more reliable and of a better economical status than the Pezhetairoi. In the Eastern Kingdoms now, it seems that the term 'Argyraspides' was used to describe a title given to sons of military settlers (Klerouchoi). The Seleukid kings seemed to have used this force as an elite phalanx with a steady 10,000 number. The title was also probably passed over from father to son. That's one theory, at least.

I don't know very much about the Hypaspistai/Elite Peltastai subject, but I believe there are enough guys out here with some good knowledge about the matter. Note that nothing I say is 100% sure, those are just speculations made by scholars. There may come a day when everything will be reversed and turns out that things where differently.

Hope this helped,
Maion

[antisocialmunky]

Great simple and informative post.