Elite Units of the Ancient World

[macsen rufus]

I'm personally skeptical about the Theban Band's homosexuality, but they would be an elite group.

What I've seen on this ("The Greeks at War", can't remember the author...) suggests that the Sacred Band of Thebes was comprised of 150 pairs of homosexual lovers based on the theory that "a man would not abandon his lover in battle" and hence would fight better. However, whether this makes them an 'elite' is debatable. The Theban variant of hoplite warfare was more one of brute force than any particularly superior training / methods - ie they massed in bodies of 50 shields depth as opposed to the more traditional 8 or 12 ranks, using the extra momentum to break the enemy centre before they themselves became flanked. Not really 'elite' material, even though it might well be very effective

In Greece I would accept the Spartan hoplites as an elite due to their being (a) full-time soldiers, (b) more thoroughly trained than their contemporaries, (c) selected from a limited social class.

Stirrups are way overrated

Heretic!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Actually I quite agree, plenty of cavalry forces have been very effective despite the lack of stirrups (both before and after their invention), and this is a point I feel is way over-laboured. It's not as though stirrups are the only way to achieve a firm seat, witness the Celtic four-horn saddle for one.

And Geoffery S also raises a very valid point - what do we mean by "elite", anyway? In some cases (eg Praetorian Guards) it probably just reflects a prestigious unit, rather than a particularly battle-worthy one. The Immortals I think cover both definitions - certainly it was a prestigious arm of the Persian forces, but also its members were selected for their valour / individual skills.

I'd also like to add the agrianes for an honourable mention in dispatches, Alexander did use them for quite a few special missions, and often placed them with the hypaspists in a pitched battle AFAIK

[Quintus.JC]

In Greece I would accept the Spartan hoplites as an elite due to their being (a) full-time soldiers, (b) more thoroughly trained than their contemporaries, (c) selected from a limited social class.

Didn't the Sacred Band of Thebes defeat a numberical superior army of Spartans at the Battle of Tegyra. also at Leuctra against the Spartans as well.