Quote Originally Posted by Zorn
Just one small remark: The spearmen are, allthough your most basic unit, also your best.
Let me explain.

Also, they get experience bonus if trained in a city with better barracks. If you have top-level-barracks, they come with silver chevrons.
Also, their weapons count as ranged, so they benefit from Ull-temples.
If you build your city right, you can train troops that come vith silver chevrons and golden weaopons right out the barrack.
That makes them very tough in close combat, but their pila-volleys are just devasting.
I´ve seen two of these units wipe units of spears in sieges before they could even reach the walls, or break enemy units with two salvoes befor they could even reach the line.

It's not possible to train any troops with silver chevrons and gold weapons at the same city. You'll have to have a training programme whereby you cycle your troops to allow them to benefit from the pagan temples. A triad of big cities would make a powerful source of soldiers if you have the patience to go to that level of training management.
Secondly, levies aren't tough in close combat. They have weak morale when fighting a cavalry unit and if you put a levy against a unit of comitatenses the levy will lose every time because of their low stamina and weakness against armoured units.
I admit that their missile spears are enough to send opposing units routing on their own, but they are very limited for ammo.

The best use for levies is front line cannon fodder while you send your hearth troops flanking.