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Thread: Iphikratian Armies

  1. #1

    Default Iphikratian Armies

    Hi folks,

    I'm playing in a Hellenon Koinon campaign, and up to now I've been a hoplite fan, with the core of my armies consisting of classical hoplites backed up with long-range archers, with a few units of whatever shock cavalry I can find.

    However, I would like to experiment with Iphikratian troops, such as the thorakitai hoplitai, the thureophoroi and the thorakitai. To date I do not think I have been using them properly. Do you have any advice as to how to use these troops in battle, how (if) they mesh with hoplite troops, and sample army compositions wherein they are used?

    Cheers,
    Neraeos

  2. #2
    iudex thervingiorum Member athanaric's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    They are good all-round troops and better on walls than "real" Hoplites (because of secondary swords -> Thorakitai Hoplitai have an AP kopis!).
    IMO Classical Hoplites are more useful on the offense or as a mobile anti-cavalry force, whereas the Iphikratean types are slightly more useful against infantry.




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  3. #3
    Member Member Scipio Germanicus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    Depends on who I'm fighting. Against the phalangitai of the successors I use Hoplitai as holding troops and the AP kopis-wielding troops to flank or deal with any heavier troops. Against the Romans however I tend to use Thorakitai, Thureophoroi, etc... as they seem to do better against their legions. For the lightly armoured barbarians, the javelins of the Thureophoroi are devestating, especially when followed up with a charge. So in general I guess I prefer them.

    On a side note, what exactly does Thorakitai and Iphikratous mean?
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    Member Member Lysandros's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    "Thorax" means not only torso as you may probably know, but also the armour which protects it. "Thorakizo" therefore means "to get armoured" or "to get dressed with the armour" and that's where Thorakites (sg.), Thorakitai (pl.) surely comes from.
    Iphikratous is the genitive sg. of the general's and mercenary leader's name "Iphikrates", so it means "of Iphikrates". Iphikratous Hoplitai could be translated as hoplites according to Iphikrates.
    I just saw that even shoes for soldiers were named Iphikratides.
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    Member Member Scipio Germanicus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    Thanks a lot.
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  6. #6
    Member Member seienchin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    The thorakitai holitai do not have anything to do with Iphikrates or modern military technology right?
    Anyway an army made of iphikrates hoplitai and thorakitai and thurepoi is sure a lot of fun to play.

  7. #7
    Vicious Celt Warlord Member Celtic_Punk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    Quote Originally Posted by athanaric View Post
    They are good all-round troops and better on walls than "real" Hoplites (because of secondary swords -> Thorakitai Hoplitai have an AP kopis!).
    IMO Classical Hoplites are more useful on the offense or as a mobile anti-cavalry force, whereas the Iphikratean types are slightly more useful against infantry.
    youve got it right somewhat. the classical hoplites are actually surprisingly flexible. they can attack or defend better than 80% of troops they encounter, especially in a city holding wall to wall in a street. Doesn't matter if its infantry or cavalry.
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    the advantage of the iphikrate troop types is that they are better armed with swords and better armoured for the most part

    but their spear being used underhand instead of an upperhand way makes them less effectice with the spear then the traditional hoplites so when using them remember to switch to the swords unleass it´s against cavalry

    i personally prefer the thorokitai and thurepoi instead of the hoplite versions due to their javelins wich on a long batleline in an huge batle can almost rout out the weakest enemies troops giving you a numbers advantage that allows you to flank better/more flexibility

    this is even more true against barbarians altough the kretikoi archers are a must to have against any barbaroi army

    altough i must admit i use the skirmishers (not the cheapest one´s i mean the other one´s) as i use my iphikrates troop type except that with them i don´t need to hit alt to change to swords since they imediatly do (on a regular classical greek army i let my skirmishers take the 1st blow and fight it off for a while before retreating behinde the real hoplite resting for a bit and then go on the flanking manouvers)

  9. #9
    Member Member seienchin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    I think you mean the peltastai?
    They are incredible effective as well as their thracian counterparts. Perfect flanking troops

  10. #10

    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    indeed expecially those thracian one´s who can grind down cavalry on melee wich when you´re on the opposite side can be quite an hassle

  11. #11
    Near East TW Mod Leader Member Cute Wolf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    Good Iphikratean Army in my opinion (for KH)
    1x Somatophylakes Strategou
    2x Hippeis
    2x Sphendonetai
    2x Thorakitai Hoplitai
    3x Thorakitai
    4x Iphikratous Hoplitai
    4x Thureophoroi
    2x Peltastai

    Use Thorakitai to hold the center, along with some Thorakitai Hoplitai on their side. Thureophoroi stand in reserve and give their javelins, while Iphikratous hoplitai flank. The Peltastai and Hippeis are tactical team, and sphendonetai are missile support.
    Last edited by Cute Wolf; 11-19-2009 at 11:57.

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    Member Member Knight of Heaven's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    I actualy in my campaing i use then all. :P
    I mean normaly i have the classical hoplitais in the center and front, along with 1 or 2 phalangitais. And protecting their sides, i use torakitai, turophoroi, and those Iphikratous Hoplitai and his heavier form asweal. for flanking troops normaly i use local troops,and fast inf, like peltastoi sometimes and those light hoplitai. My slingers are always in front of my cav on the sides. Normaly i dont have more than 2 kind of troops in a army. So it is always pretty ballanced.

  13. #13
    Member Member seienchin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Iphikratian Armies

    Thorakitai hoplitai arent a modern unit

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