Hellenic officers

**^RaGe^** · 12-07-2008, 15:31

I've noticed that almost every phalanx or hoplite unit has these two officers attached to them:

What were they called and what was their task in the unit?

**keravnos** · 12-07-2008, 20:30

Each city state, or Northern Greek Kingdom had its own ranks. The one used most of the times and still in use today is the Spartan one,

"Lochagos", loosely translates as Lieutenant. This comes from "Lochos"+ "ago"="to lead".
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%BB...87%CE%BF%CF%82

"Semaiophoros", standard bearer. This comes from "Semaia"="flag" and "phero"="to carry, to bear"

Their task in battle was for Lochagos to try to lead his men according to the plan laid by Strategos, whereas the Semaiophoros would stand by the Lochagos, to act as both a recognition standard in the midst of battle and a morale enhancer. It would deffinitely enhance ease of identification for the unit (it would be important for the friends and enemies alike to know who they are dealing with).

**Ludens** · 12-07-2008, 20:42

Out of curiosity, why is the Greek bodyguard unit missing a Lochagos? Is this to simulate that a general would be expected to command his own unit?

**/Bean\** · 12-07-2008, 22:58

I didn't think any General's bodyguard had a Lochagos (or equivalent), only Captain's units. Or is that me?

**Aemilius Paulus** · 12-08-2008, 02:00

Originally Posted by Baen

I didn't think any General's bodyguard had a Lochagos (or equivalent), only Captain's units. Or is that me?

What about the Romani one? They have the centurion in addition to the general. Would that be an "equivalent"?

**team_kramnik** · 12-09-2008, 09:13

Originally Posted by Ludens

Out of curiosity, why is the Greek bodyguard unit missing a Lochagos? Is this to simulate that a general would be expected to command his own unit?

Xanthippos has a Lochagos and Semaiophoros which is probably a result of the standart heavy cav Kart-Hadast bodyguard working differently. What I noticed in battle is that he's always charging ahead of his Spartans so I quess 3 officers screws up the formation.

**Celtic_Punk** · 12-09-2008, 10:46

KH body guard has a general and 2 officers, 1 standard bearer and the Lochagos

**Ludens** · 12-09-2008, 14:20

Originally Posted by team_kramnik

Xanthippos has a Lochagos and Semaiophoros which is probably a result of the standart heavy cav Kart-Hadast bodyguard working differently. What I noticed in battle is that he's always charging ahead of his Spartans so I quess 3 officers screws up the formation.

The placement of officers is dependent on the unit itself, not the faction. The Spartan hoplite unit has both officers, so any generals that have Spartans as bodyguard have a Lochagos. KH generals that have the standard bodyguard do not.