Quote Originally Posted by Sovereign
Well your definately need peltasts then.
The box contains Cretan archers.

While I agree with your assessment that missile troops are necessary, peltasts are likely to get slaughtered by the Cretans. Also, a peltast carries only three javelins, while an archer has perhaps thirty arrows. Since we are not facing armoured troops or mobile troops, quantity may beat quality here (but I still advice taking Cretans above normal archers: if they are in a box you will have to take them out with missiles of your own).

Quote Originally Posted by orangat
Actually Spartans have an armour rating of 3, 9, 5. Since shields confer double protection, that would a nominal rating of 13 def from the front but they do have a weak 3 in the rear.
IIRC an armour rating of 3 is for unamoured units. Otherwise you are correct, but since the enemy is in a box formation there will always be units presenting their unshielded rear and right sides.